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Jean A. (Gispanski) Ferrara

Jean A. (Gispanski) Ferrara, 85, of West Kittanning, PA, passed away on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born July 11, 1939, in Kittanning, PA; the daughter of Joseph "Punk" and Esther "Bess" (Palinski) Gispanski.

Jean was a 1957 graduate of Kittanning High School and a lifelong resident of the Kittanning area. She graduated in 1960 from West Penn Hospital School of Nursing. Jean worked as an office nurse for the late Dr. Joseph Milliron until his retirement. She then worked at the former Kittanning Hospital before joining Dr. Greenbaum's practice where she worked as pediatric office nurse with Children's Community Care until her retirement in 2001.

Music was an important part of Jean's life since she was 12 years old. She was the organist at many Catholic churches in the local area over the years, the pianist for community choirs in Kittanning and Ford City, and the organist at Grace Presbyterian Church since 2006. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, music, housekeeping, and embroidery.

She is survived by her daughter, Annette M. Ferrara and her husband, Jerry O'Leary of Chicago, IL; her sister-in-law, Sandy Gispanski of Ford City; nephews, John (Susan) Gispanski of Manorville and Joseph (Kathy) Gispanski, Jr. of Worthington; niece, Paula (Dan) Bearer, of Ford City; her great nieces and nephews, Josh (Meghan) Gispanski of Florida, Cody (Brooke) Gispanski of Ford Cliff, Samantha Gispanski of Manorville and Jena Gispanski of Pittsburgh; and many cousins, including her special cousin, Helen Ann Gispanski of West Kittanning.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank Ferrara; and her brothers, Joseph and Louis Gispanski.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Thursday, Dec.5, 2024, at the Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 515 North McKean Street, Kittanning, PA.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at St. Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 101 W. High St., Kittanning, with the Reverend Alan W. Grote officiating.

Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Kittanning, PA.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Richard G. Laube Cancer Center, especially Dr. Gene Finley, Angelica Hedglin, CRNP, and Maggie Croyle, PA-C; Concordia Visiting Nurses; AHN Hospice, especially Kalyn Waldor, RN; ACMH Hospital Staff; and the parishioners and staff of Grace Presbyterian Church.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Jean's memory to the Richard G. Laube Cancer Center, One Nolte Dr., Kittanning, PA 16201.

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