Darlene Zazzera
April 6, 2023

Darlene Zazzera, 96, of Carbondale, died Thursday at Carbondale Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. Her husband was the late Charles Zazzera.

Born in Hondo, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Velma Balzen.

Besides being an incredible wife for 69 years, mother and grandmother, “Dar” was a woman of diverse interests and talents. Admired for her awesome cooking and baking skills, she tried for years to teach her children her specialties, (never to be quite the same). In addition, she found her passion in becoming an impressive bowler and golfer for many decades. Among the many accolades she received, Dar was inducted to the Scranton Women’s Bowing Hall of Fame in 2001, Pennsylvania State Senior of the Year, National senior runner up, and served on the board of the Scranton’s Women’s Bowling Association for over 10 years. Dar also loved golfing for many years as a member of Elkview Ladies Association and playing in many other golf leagues on area courses. She proudly added a hole-in-one to her repertoire. A favorite weekly pastime until recently was playing cards with her friends. She was a true competitor in whatever she did, even being the loudest cheerleader for the Mets.

Above all, Dar was a strong, courageous woman deeply rooted in her faith. She put God first in her life and lived life serving others. She was an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and the Altar and Rosary Society. Prayer was a constant in her life and she accepted whatever came her way without complaint, steadfast in her belief that God has a purpose for all of us. Her children and grandchildren were on her daily prayer list always asking the Lord for guidance for them in their lives. It is truly a blessing that God called her to eternal life on Holy Thursday.

Survivors include a daughter, Bernadette Suchy and husband, Michael, Florida; three sons, Jerome Zazzera and wife, Angie, Maryland; Michael Zazzera and wife, Robyn, Carbondale; Stephen Zazzera and companion, Jodi Wilk, Carbondale; grandchildren, Aaron Salko and wife, Lauren, New Jersey; Corey Salko and wife, Christine, New York; Emily Salko and fiancé, Zeph Sheppard, Oregon; John David Friia, Maryland; Jessica Smith, Maryland; Alex Zazzera, New York; Mike Zazzera, Carbondale; Corey Nykaza, Scranton; Mallory Mangan and husband, Sean, Carbondale; Zoe Zazzera, Carbondale; and Amelia Zazzera, Carbondale; great-grandchildren, Sierra Salko, Tatum Salko, Alexis Nykaza, Lonnie Mangan, Delaney Mangan, Kimberly Friia, Abigail Smith, Charlee Salko and Leona Sheppard; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by four sisters; and a son-in-law, Leonard Salko.

The funeral will be Tuesday with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Carbondale. Interment, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Finch Hill.

The family will receive family and friends at the church from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Arrangements, Lawrence A. Gabriel Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 2 Hospital St., Carbondale.

Online condolences may be sent to the funeral home website.