Jeannie Baker Parisi

Jeannie was raised in Buffalo, NY, in what could be called a cooperative endeavor due to the tragic death of her father, while she was an infant. Outside of her school hours, her time was split between her own home and those of various aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived in the area. She cherished her large, extended family, especially her cousins Chuck, Paul, Tim, and John Battaglia, as well as Bim and Mac Gratwick. Jeannie graduated from Nardin Academy in Buffalo and went on to earn her BA in History from LeMoyne College, a school she attended because it was the only Jesuit College that admitted women. Decades later, after tackling the daunting statistics prerequisite, she went on to earn an MS in counseling psychology from Immaculata College.

After graduating from LeMoyne, Jeannie returned to Buffalo, where she worked for IBM as a Systems Engineer, training customers and other IBMers on computers and installing complex mainframe systems. It was at IBM that she met her husband, Frank Parisi, with whom she had four children: Tony, John, Christine, and Joe. They lived in Manlius, New York and eventually settled in Wayne, PA, an area that she grew to love. Jeannie was an avid tennis and paddle player at Martins Dam and UMLY. She was also a dedicated volunteer at several local organizations. Her work as Republican Judge of Elections was well supported by her husband, who always made sure she had the sustenance and support needed to do the important work of supporting fair local elections - a task that involved extremely long days.

Jeannie loved her many grandchildren and was blessed with nine of them: Lyndsay, Tommy, and Sophia; Carter and Josie; and Wanda, Lucy, Adelaide, and Mabel.

Jeannie was an avid reader. Her weekly digest often involved two or three books, in addition to newspapers, crossword puzzles and magazines. She enjoyed reading to her grandchildren, and as they have progressed in age, they have come to enjoy the recommendations and options presented by Grammy’s lending library. The thousands of books she read, contributed to her expansive knowledge and brought her deep joy. Jeannie traveled extensively throughout Europe.

Jeannie wrote beautifully and effectively. She gifted her family and friends many heartfelt notes and letters. She also utilized her writing and organizational skills in many grant-writing and other key volunteer roles for organizations such as Norristown State Hospital, PLAN of PA, Valley Forge Council of Republican Women, Paoli Axillary, Daughters of the American Revolution, Valley Forge Elementary Parent-Teachers Association (President) and The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

Jeannie had many important and long-term friends and familial relationships, and she always went out of her way to show compassion for extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her mother Wanda Gonka Baker, her father John Hutchinson Baker, and her son, Joseph Mogavero Parisi. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Frank Parisi; her son Tony and wife Michelle (Lyndsay Dickinson and husband Spencer, Tommy, and Sophia), her son John and wife Gabrielle (Carter and Josie), and her daughter Christine (Wanda, Lucy, Adelaide, and Mabel.)

Visiting hours will be Friday, August 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 at Alleva Funeral Home in Paoli, PA. A Catholic funeral mass will be at St. Isaac Jogues in Wayne, on Saturday, August 2, at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Valley Forge Park at the Washington Memorial Chapel Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her son, Joe.

Jeannie is now reunited with her cherished souls who preceded her into perpetual light.

To watch the recording of Mass, please follow the link below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/MOQZ9QcbB4dvYjZU8TDpOlWXSUURMqv6d7C6RDBW9GWxF_jjz9ivUQuW-loo8lKN.G78GgwpajP4TfU2M?startTime=1754142964000

Passcode: 16pK!e2J