Ms. Jeannine Patricia Salone

COLUMBIA, SC - On July 6, 2014, Jeannine Patricia Salone, affectionately known as “Queen Jeannine”, passed away at Agape Hospice House in Columbia, S.C. after a long struggle with multiple sclerosis. Formerly of Manchester and Simsbury, CT., she resided most of her life in Columbia, SC. Born on March 2, 1962, Jeannine was a daughter of Fran Salone-Pelletier and the late Ignazio Paul Salone. A 1980 graduate of Northwest Catholic High School, it was not surprising that she was crowned Spirit Queen as she took such pride in spreading the school’s spirit. She then completed her studies at The College of New Rochelle, graduating cum laude, and later received the Ursula Laurus citation for outstanding representation of Christian values. She continued her education in social work and received her MSW from the University of South Carolina. She worked for the S.C. Department of Environmental Control and then for the Health Dept. of USC where she was hired as the first full-time social worker for those afflicted with the HIV virus. There, she took on the position as research associate and was highly acclaimed for the articles she had published. Jeannine is survived by her mother, Fran Salone-Pelletier and her husband, Jean Pelletier; brother, Paul, and his wife Judy; twin sisters, Denise "Nisi" Zalaski and Donna Ames, and their husbands, Josh and Rob, and their children: Kevin, Katie, Audrey, and Justin. Auntie Neen, as the kids called her, will always be their "Super Freaky" aunt. Additionally, she leaves behind a multitude of aunts, uncles, and cousins along with her godchildren, Anna Lipetsky and Edison Flanagan. She was predeceased by her grandfather, Annunziato, and her grandmother, Rose Sculli, whom she adored. Jeannine’s “second family” was the Quattlebaum’s, with whom she resided. Not enough can be said about her caregiver, Cecily, who gave so selflessly in order to make certain Jeannine was well cared for in every way. Jeannine so enjoyed and treasured every moment she shared with each of the Quattlebaum children: Celess, Joshua, Destiny, Faith, Hope, and Grace. Jeannine’s infectious smile, sense of humor, and exuberance that lit up every room she entered will be sorely missed. She will be fondly remembered for her strength and courage as she bravely tried to live to her fullest capacity, despite her MS. She will also be remembered for her compassion for anyone who entered her life and took great pride in fighting for what was right and just as well as helping and counseling others, even amidst her pain and lack of energy. A memorial service in honor and memory of “The Queen” will be given on Thursday, July 10th at 12:00 noon at Dunbar Funeral Home Northeast Chapel, 4219 Hard Scrabble Rd., Columbia, SC 29223. An additional memorial service will also be held at a later date in Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be to The College of New Rochelle Scholarship Fund, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle, NY 10805-2339 or to the Agape Hospice House, 141 Stoneridge Dr., Columbia, SC 29210.