Irene Constantino

     Irene S. Szymczak Constantino, 85, of Mercy Terrace, Erie and formerly of North East, died Monday, March 30, 2015, at St. Mary's East.  She was born July 19, 1929, in Erie, daughter of the late Frank and Christina Jereski Szymczak.  A 1947 graduate of Academy High School, she attended St. Vincent Nursing School, and earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree including phlebotomy and the administration of medications from Erie Tech in 1964.  She worked as an LPN for Hamot Medical Center for 25 years retiring in 1990.  She had previously worked as a telephone operator for GTE.  Irene attended St. Luke Church, was involved in the Cursillo Movement, belonged to a Canasta Club for forty years, and collected Gone with the Wind memorabilia  She enjoyed playing slots at the casino, reading, doing crossword puzzles, playing Bingo, and crocheting.  Irene and her husband Benny enjoyed spending time in Cocoa Beach, FL where they wintered for many years.  A very proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she loved the fact that all of her children graduated from college, and she crocheted a blanket for each of her eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren when they were born.
     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Alex Mroczkowski; her husband of 41 years, Benjamin F. Constantino, in 1992;  a sister, Florence T. Biondi; and an infant brother, Stanley Szymczak.
     Survivors include a son, Richard F. "Rick" Constantino of Erie; two daughters, Linda Chaffin and husband Bruce of North East and Diane Lopez of Millcreek Twp.; a brother, Leonard H. "Butch" Mroczkowski of Erie; eight grandchildren, Lisa, Jessica and James "Jimmy" Constantino,  Craig Leech, and Erika Leech and husband Michael Muhlnickel, all of Erie, Kristin McQueeney and husband Kevin of Franklin, Kimberly Dippolitto and husband Christopher of Manassas, VA, and Jennifer Chaffin of Lawrence Park; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
     Friends may call Friday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle Street.  A prayer service will be held there Monday at 9:15 a.m. followed at 10 by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Luke Church, 421 E. 38th Street, celebrated by Fr. John P. Malthaner.  Burial will be at St. Gregory's Cemetery, North East.  Memorials may be made to the Margo Constantino Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund, c/o Mercyhurst University, 501 East 38th Street, Erie, PA  16546.