Estelle B. Opsasnick

Estelle B. Opsasnick, 88, of Scranton, died Monday evening at home in Webster Towers, and blessedly, she was not alone. Beside her were her two children, as they had constantly been for the past several months, there to hold her hand and comfort her, to serenade her with Kenny Rogers, and to say goodbye, her work here completed, she gently attained her eternal peace.

Estelle was born in Scranton on a sunny day in 1932, the second of two daughters born to Stanley and Juel Franus Pron, to a life framed by a national depression and a worldwide pandemic. She immediately formed a lifelong, inseparable bond with her big sister, Julia, who everybody called Dolly.

As young children, they tragically lost their father, the family's breadwinner, further steeling their strong connection. Raised on Elm Street in lower South Side, Estelle attended Scranton public schools and graduated from Scranton Technical High School, class of 1949, where she distinguished herself both academically and artistically. A gifted singer and dancer, she was the younger half of The Dolly Sisters, a song and dance duet created with her sister in their teens. Performing show tunes, vaudeville and jazz compositions, they played locally at movie houses and on popular radio programs and were quite a hit.

Having learned young that good, hard work both supported your family and was the ticket to a better life, Estelle started out serving cones and sundaes at the neighborhood ice cream parlor, before landing a job at Acme Fast Freight, doing office work for good pay. During this time she met Steve Opsasnick, and the couple were married within a year, and moved their growing family up the hill to the new homestead at the corner of Stafford and Beech. After both children reached school age, she found employment at Ehrhardt Answering Service as a telephone operator, where for over 20 years, it was her job to know everybody's business and be the messenger of it. She later worked for the good people at Pegula Insurance before retiring to care for her husband.

A woman of deep faith, Estelle was thoroughly involved with her church, St. Stanislaus Polish National Church, where as president of Women's Sodality, she served under Prime Bishop Francis Hodur. Church dances, picnics, pierogi sales and trips to Spojnia Farm were all part of a busy social calendar.

Estelle was a big sports fan. Bowling was a lifelong activity, and she was a 30-plus-year member of the Scranton Tribune and YMS of R Bowling Leagues, while competing in tournaments throughout the country. A loud and vocal fan of the New York Yankees - (is there any other?) - she followed the Bronx Bombers religiously. By skillfully exhorting them with a rosary and some "holy" invocations, she made a reasonable claim to being personally responsible for a full 24 of the 27 World Series championships her team won during her 88 trips around the Sun.

Throughout, it was family first, always. Many memories were made on trips to Atlantic City, taking the kids on vacation to the beach and boardwalk, or to the casinos with gambling partner, Dolly, they usually followed Kenny's advice; and, on road trips to Lake George, Yankee Stadium, or Buffalo, and at the kids' insistence, to a motel with a pool. Sunday brunch with her daughter after church was a weekly event, so over the years, between them, they pretty much had everything on Alexander's extensive menu.

Estelle felt so blessed to have three kind, respectful, intelligent grandchildren, was ever-present in their lives and oh so proud of all their accomplishments. To them, she was the best Gramma in the whole wide world, and the prettiest. She remembered everyone's birthday with a personal card and a $10 bill.

Our hearts are full of profound gratitude to the staffs at Webster Towers and the office of Dr. Emma Rubin, and to her caregivers, Lucy and Dianne, for their extraordinary compassion and care.

Estelle is survived by her son, Dr. Stephen Opsasnick, and wife, Margo, Scranton; daughter, Lynne Opsasnick, and husband, Frank Regan, Scranton; three grandchildren, Lauren, and fianc, Eddie Rogers, Chicago; Mark, Scranton; and Christian, San Francisco; a step-grandchild, Joseph Regan, Clarks Summit; a special godchild, Ellen Januskiewicz, and husband, Marty, Orchard Park, N.Y.; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws, all extended family, many with the last name Culkin, Nycz, Franus, Cummings, Mackarey, Regan, Viola or Fedele, all cherished relationships.

Estelle was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, Stephen P. Opsasnick, who died Jan. 2, 2008, and by the sister she adored, Julia "Dolly" Nycz, who died Jan. 12, 2017.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private graveside service was held at St. Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Cemetery, Scranton, where Estelle was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Steve.

A memorial and celebration of life will be scheduled in early summer 2021 when family and friends can gather together, hug one another and honor the life of this wonderful woman.

Arrangements, Frank M. Regan Funeral Home, 715 Linden St., Scranton.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.