Jean DeFonce

Jean, was born on June 19, 1931, baptized as Evhenia (Jean) Kopyscianski to Petro (Peter) Kopyscianski, and Mary Larchalk in Ranshaw Pennsylvania. Jean was the youngest of six previously deceased and greatly loved and adored siblings, Nicholas, Nancy, Paul, Helen, and Russell. Jean is also predeceased by her much loved and adored granddaughter Christine, daughter of son Michael and his wife Angela (predeceased) and nephews, Nicholas, Peter, William and Russell. Jean is survived by her daughter Lisa and husband Gary Ferone, and her son Michael DeFonce and grandchildren Erika and Frank DiSalvo, Alexandra and Rob Silvia, and Andrea DeFonce as well as great grandchildren Millie, and Olive DiSalvo and Theodore Silvia, with two special new great grand nephews on the way. She is also survived by a much loved extended family of nieces and nephews and her sister-in-law and dear friend, Barbara Kopy. Jean grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania as the baby of the family in a time of hardship. She worked in a dress factory, and then moved on to adventures and many laughs in Florida and New York as she joined her siblings and lived with them and her many nieces and nephews as the fun and crazy Aunt Jeannie. Jean worked in the Lifesaver factory and eventually the telephone company as an operator where she mesmerized her husband Michael DeFonce (predeceased in 1995) of Harrison with her telephone voice, still sweet and young sounding until recent years! Jean helped her husband as he leased a boatyard in Mamaroneck and then after being a tireless homemaker, worked and managed her own career for over 30 years as the owner of the coat room concession at the Rye Town Hilton until 2020. Jean lived a simple life with a small intimate circle of friends and valued her family greatly. Along with her family and other friends in Heaven, she is now happily reunited with her dearest and beloved friend, Bob Stefanov, who also predeceased her. She left us with many memories of her resilience and a string of undeniably hysterical stories. She loved dogs and considered them her grandchildren too. She loved to laugh and kick off some fun with a vodka tonic. Jean's immediate family affectionately called her Baba, and she was Jeannie to many friends and family. Baba lived a long life and stated many times in her final weeks that she was ready to go. Rest easy Baba, and enjoy your renewed time with your dear family and friends in the beauty of God's light in.

There will be a wake in her honor, Sunday, May 31st from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Hawthorne Funeral Home (21 W Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532)