Obituary of Eugenia S. Eden
Eugenia S. Eden, 101 years and 10 months old, formerly of East Stroudsburg, died on Thursday, September 23, 2021. She was joined in marriage on July 17, 1943 to William E. Eden. She is preceded in death by her husband William, her parents Giuseppe and Catalda Stella, her siblings Philip Stella, George Stella, Josephine Engo, and Joseph Stella.
Jean leaves behind three daughters and their husbands, Jaynellen and Richard Mannix of Bethlehem, PA, Jody and Charles Ackerman of Buckhannon, WV, and Katie and Dale Heller of Stroudsburg, PA; six grandchildren, Barbara Mannix of Bethlehem, PA, William Mannix of Bethlehem, PA, Jonathan Ackerman of Tatamy, PA, Janel Bonacore of Wilmington, DE, Laura Heller of Stroudsburg, PA, and Christopher Heller of Stroudsburg, PA; eight great grandchildren, Madelaine Golden, Hayley Ackerman, Aiden Mannix, Liam Bonacore, Tristan Mannix, Gabriel Smith, McKenna Smith, and Annabella Bonacore. She also leaves one niece, four nephews, and many cherished friends.
Jean’s education includes Washington School for Secretaries, New York, NY, and East Stroudsburg University where she received a B.A., El. Ed. Cum laude, 1972 and M.Ed. plus Reading Specialist Certification, 1976.
Jean was employed as Sales Correspondent for Welcome Wagon Company, N.Y., N.Y., Secretary to Sales Manager for Sylvania Industrial Corporation of America, N.Y., N.Y., Secretary, Northeast Regional Manager for Cities Service Oil Company, N.Y., N.Y., Secretary for Editor and Sales Manager for Diesel Publications, N.Y., N.Y., Graduate Assistant for the Reading Department, East Stroudsburg University, PA, Reading Specialist and Coordinator of Gifted Programs, Pocono Mountain School District, Swiftwater, PA from 1976-86 and Director of Education for Country Cottage Day Care, Bethlehem, PA from 1985-89.
Jean spent years devoting her time to others as a volunteer. Her volunteer experience includes:
Newtown High School, grades 11 and 12: Volunteer for elections and book store monitor
American Red Cross; USO; American Cancer Society, New York, N.Y.:1940-61
Commack, NY Methodist Church trustee 3 years 1958 -1961
Girl Scouts of America, Stroudsburg Area Assistant Leader c. 1974-76
East Stroudsburg Planning Commission, Monroe County, PA, 1961-75: Chair, 1 term
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church: Editor Bi-centennial Yearbook, 1972; Trustee 1994-96;
Children’s “Choir Mother;” Adult Choir; Worship and Organ Committees; Usher; Vision Team
Editorial reader, Child Abuse and Neglect, National Education Association: 1983
Phi Delta Kappa International, PDK: 1976-2017: President; V-president of Monroe Chapter
American Association of University Women: Book Sales Chair; President 1986-88 & 2005-07;
Membership VP and other: 1972-2017
Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees: Chair: local and state boards: 1987- 2017
Pocono Services for Families & Children: 1982-92, 1997-2005: President; Membership, Scholarship,
Fundraising, Program; RSVP: 1987–2005
Writer-researcher: book: Women Who Made History in Monroe County by Helen Brown: 1991-96
East Stroudsburg School District, J.M. Hill School: Tutor 1986-1990
East Stroudsburg University Alumni Association Board of Directors: 1995-2010;
Editor of Alumni Directory, 1999; Awards Committee; Chair Volunteer Committee
East Stroudsburg University Fine Arts Society: Board of Directors, 2005 and beyond
Monroe County Children and Youth Services Advisory Committee: 2001-06, Chair 2002-06
Monroe County League of Women Voters: 2005; V-President 2006-10; member to 2016
Monroe County Historical Association Board of Directors: Chair, Membership Committee;
Board Secretary 2007-2013
Monroe County Community Grants Board: 2007 – 2013
NEPA FCU Education Foundation Board, Public Relations/Marketing: April 2012 – 2020
Jean’s past awards and recognitions include:
Pocono Area Branch American Association of University Women 1972-2017
Woman of the Year 1989
Excellence Award, book contributor: Women Who Made History in Monroe County, 1994
Pocono Services for Families and Children 1990, 1998 and 2001 for volunteer service;
recipient of Inaugural Eugenia S. Eden Award, 2002, for ongoing annual presentation; “Eugenia S. Eden Early Learning Center” building dedication, 2019, in honor of her 100th birthday
Kelly Lewis, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives:
volunteer contribution to Monroe County, Women’s History Month, 2001
Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees: Service Award 2001;
Region III Outstanding Volunteer, 2005-6; Monroe County Volunteer of the Year 2006
Phi Delta Kappa: Kappan of the Year, Monroe Chapter 2003; Member 1977 to 2016
RSVP Foundation: Special Recognition for 1,000 or more hours in 2005, 2013
Monroe County Commissioners: Special Recognition/Dedication to Children and Youth Advisory Board, 2006
East Stroudsburg University Alumni Association: Conrad “Skip” Iducas Service Award, 2008;
Director Emerita, 2010
NEPA Community Federal Credit Union Meritorious Service Award: April 26, 2016
Jean’s past professional affiliations include:
American Association of University Women, AAUW, Pocono Area Branch: 1972 – 2017
Phi Delta Kappa International, PDK: Past Pocono President: 1984 -2016
PA Association of School Retirees (PASR) Monroe Chapter, Past President; State Board
for Community; Member Benefits Chair 1986 - 2016
PA State Education Association, NEA-R: 1986- 2016
Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Retired Faculties, APSCURF:
associate member, 1986-2016
Jean had interests in politics, current events, travel, book/film discussions, art, photography, travel and family. She often stated she felt “very lucky” in life and greatly enriched by her family, diverse and cherished friendships, and travel.
A Celebration of Life is planned for late October, 2021. Information will be shared at a later date.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Eugenia
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Wright Funeral Home
Services for Eugenia Eden
Plant a tree in memory of Eugenia