Jean (Drassler) Shamro

Jean Shamro, daughter of John Drassler and Mary (Nagoda) Drassler passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the Bradford County Manor in Troy, PA.

Jean was born on December 25, 1935 in Carbondale, PA.  While growing up in Kearny, NJ, she spent summers in Browndale, PA with her beloved grandmother, Mary Nagoda, and her fun-loving aunts and uncles.  Being an only child and the first grandchild in her own mother's family, Jean loved being spoiled by her relatives and often spoke of her happy summer days in Browndale.

Jean graduated from St. Cecelia's High School in Kearny, NJ and soon afterwards married John Shamro of Uniondale, PA.  Jean had always wanted to be a nurse but chose instead to start a family with John.

As a newlyweds, Jean and John moved to Manville, NJ where they raised their three children.  When her children were young, Jean worked at Baker and Taylor, a book distributor in Bound Brook, NJ, mainly to receive discounts on hard cover books.  (Jean was an avid reader, enjoying everything from pulpy novels to Ayn Rand.)  Later, Jean, in a way fulfilling her wish to be a nurse, worked as a Nursing Assistant at Carrier Foundation, a private psychiatric facility in Belle Meade, NJ.  The staff and patients at Carrier loved Jean for her sense of humor, unparalleled work ethic, empathy, and kindness to those who were hurting.  Jean worked the graveyard shift at Carrier for many years so she could be home during the day to tend to her children, then later her grandchildren, then ailing husband, then aging parents.  Amidst all of this, Jean made a home-cooked meal every night and kept a spotless home.   

Jean's personal and professional life revolved around caring for others.  When she took a moment for herself, she enjoyed reading, Turner Classic Movies, bowling, and an occasional day in Atlantic City challenging the slot machines.  She was sassy, sarcastic, generous, enjoyed a good filet mignon (well done!) and hot fudge sundaes with two cherries.  When babysitting her grandchildren she was lawless with junk food and 24 hour tv watching.  It was no wonder they all enjoyed being with Grandma Jean.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, John.  She is survived her three children: John and his long-time companion, Joann Semancik, Joan Broderick and her husband Pete, Jim and his wife Leslie.  She will be missed by her grandchildren Kelly, John, Kristin, Todd, Laura and great grandchildren Jon, Alex, Kurt, and Julian.

The family would like to thank the staff at Sherwood Personal Care Home, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Guthrie Troy Community Hospital, and Bradford County Manor for the excellent, tender care they gave to Jean.

The funeral Mass for Jean is on Friday, March 27th, at 9:00 am, Christ the King Church, 211 Louis Street, Manville NJ.  Burial will follow immediately at Sacred Heart Cementary in Manville, the family has entrusted the Gerald W. Vickery, Jr. Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. 1093 West Main Street, Troy, PA with the arrangements.

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