Jean A. Bacha, 88 – Received Many Awards From the Department of Agriculture

Jean A. Bacha, 88, originally of Mahanoy City, passed away Thursday, May 14 after a short courageous battle with Covid-19.

Born August 30, 1931, in Mahanoy City, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna Bacha. She was preceded in death by all of her siblings: brothers Andrew and Michael, sisters Ann Rod, Margaret Kanapinsky and Helen Narbutitis.

Jean was the youngest sibling of her family and grew up during the Great Depression.  She often told stories of the difficult times and encouraged her family to save items for multiple uses.

Jean graduated from Mahanoy City High School and worked for Callan’s Laundry, Newberry’s and Grants.  When business in Mahanoy City declined she moved to Harrisburg to use her skills for the Department of Agriculture where she received many service awards for her budget management expertise.

Five years from retirement, she decided to transfer to Hawaii to complete her career because as she said it “she would be only 5 years older if she didn’t”. She moved back to PA upon retirement to be closer to her family. She became a resident of Green Valley Skilled Nursing in Pitman, PA when she became ill.

Jean loved travel and animals, but especially the love of reading.  Walking into her home was like walking into a library.  She loved to tell stories and was the family historian.  She was small in stature, but her intelligence, wisdom and wit made her larger than life.  No one could beat her at trivia and she always kept you laughing with her jokes.

Jean lived her life through her friends and family never forgetting a birthday or that special occasion.  She corresponded through letters and cards with the multitude of friends she gathered through her life and her door was always covered with the latest letters and pictures from them.

Jean is survived by several nieces and nephews out of state. Locally her nieces and nephews are, Theresa (Bacha) and Ray Seiger of Pottsville, Michael and Margaret Bacha of Frackville, Steven Bacha and companion Eileen Cress of Ashland, Christina Godshall of Hometown, Denise (Narbutitis) and Tony Miller of Barnesville and many great nieces and nephews too numerous to name.

Due to the current pandemic, services and interment will be private.  The family requests memorial donations be made to Hillside SPCA, 51 SPCA Road, Pottsville, PA 17901.