Obituary of Regina Helen Gillette

Regina Helen "Jean" Gillette, age 87, died peacefully on Friday, May 5, 2017 at her home in Hawley with several family members at her side. Born June 6, 1929, in Scranton, PA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Stella (Standarski) Wendrick.

She is survived by one daughter, Lori Gillette of Raleigh, NC; two sons and daughters-in-law: Gary and Vicki Gillette of Detroit, MI, and Stephen and Patti Gillette of Portland, OR; and by four grandchildren, Karolina and Kamil of Detroit, and Melanie and Michael of Portland; three sisters-in-law, Jeanette Wendrick, Mary Wendrick and Dolores Gillette; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Regina was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Charles A. Gillette, in 2010; by her two sisters, Stella McGinnis and Helen Edwards; and by her two brothers, Wallace Wendrick and Joseph Wendrick.

Jean attended the White Mills School but was forced to drop out to work on her parents' farm. She worked at several factories in Wayne County in the 1950s while also making memorable pizzas from her own special recipe on weekends for local restaurants and bars.

In 1962, she and her husband purchased Sandy Beach Motel across from Lake Wallenpaupack in Wilsonville, Pike County. While Charles worked full-time for the Post Office, Jean raised the children and served as the innkeeper. After they sold the motel in 1978, Jean managed the gift shop at White Beauty View resort. In 1986, Jean and Charlie purchased the Trading Post jewelry and sundries store on Main Street in Hawley, which they ran until 1994, when they retired for the final time.

A creative person, Jean taught herself to paint and sold some of her canvases to motel guests who admired them. She operated her own business, Jean's Flower Basket in the 1980s and 1990s, winning awards for her beautiful dried and silk flower arrangements. For four decades, Jean, a skilled cook, and Charlie were members of the Gourmet Dinner Club with their closest friends.

A lifelong member of the Queen of Peace Parish in Hawley, Jean was active in the parish's Altar & Rosary Society. She was a selfless caregiver to numerous relatives and friends in their hour of need, including to many in their final days.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 to 7 to 9 PM on Thursday, May 11, at Teeters' Funeral Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 12, at 10 AM at BVM Queen of Peace RC Church, 314 Church St., Hawley, with Rev. Richard W. Beck officiating. Burial will be held at BVM Queen of Peace Cemetery, Hawley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.PanCan.org).