Joan M. Lowry Sopinski, 95, of Scranton, died peacefully at home Friday, January 23, 2026, surrounded by her family. Her husband of 66 years, Chester J. "Pinky" Sopinski, preceded her in death in 2021.
She was born October 27, 1930 in the Minooka section of Scranton. She remained a "Minooka girl" at heart and took pride in her Irish heritage. She was the daughter of the late David and Teresa Flaherty Lowry. She was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church until its closing, and later St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church. Joan was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School, where she met Pinky. He always said she was the best thing that ever happened to him, and although she did not express it as loudly, the feeling was mutual. Joan worked for several years at Bell Telephone before leaving to care for her young family and then later as a bookkeeper at Sauquoit Fibers before retiring to enjoy her role as Grandma.
Joan was a private person. She never sought attention, yet people gravitated to her. She was the trusted confidante of family and friends alike. She touched the lives of many with her warmth, strength, and compassion. Joan was an avid reader, who loved language, especially proper grammar usage, and instilled that love in her family. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, staying abreast of news stories, and cooking for the enjoyment of family. She demonstrated deep faith in God and devotion to the Blessed Mother and St. Ann.
Family was at the center of Joan's life. She shared her love unconditionally and was proud of each member's accomplishments. Her grandchildren loved to have Grandma as their babysitter, and visits from great-grandchildren and family dogs highlighted her later days. Above all else, Joan's heart and soul belonged to her husband, Pinky. They demonstrated their love daily by their quiet actions and examples. Her family finds great comfort knowing they are reunited.
She is survived by four children, Patricia Lewis and husband, David; JoAnn Jackowitz and husband, Paul; Michael Sopinski and wife, Carol; and Mary Ellen Sopinski; 10 grandchildren, Allison Bakow and husband, Adam; David Lewis and wife, Claire; Brian Lewis and wife, Kelly; Kevin Lewis and wife, Nicole; Daniel Jackowitz; Andrew Jackowitz; Lisa Jackowitz and husband, Joseph Baurys; Adrienne Sopinski and husband, Dave Seeley; Michael Sopinski Jr. and wife, Liz; and Jeffrey Sopinski and wife, Jamie; and 12 great-grandchildren, Jake Bakow, Sydney Lewis, Sophie and Lainey Lewis, Levi and Nora Lewis, Matilda Seeley, Ceci and Frankie Sopinski, and Emilia, Conor, and Dean Sopinski; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also predeceased by three grandchildren, Stephanie Lewis Turetsky, and infants Philip and Nicholas Jackowitz; and five siblings, David J. Lowry, Lucille Musheno, Mary Grace Manley, Doris Edsell, and Teresa Rose Pawlik.
The funeral will be Saturday, January 31st, with a Mass of Christian Burial at noon at Divine Mercy Parish at St. Joseph's Church, 312 Davis St., celebrated by Rev. Paul A. McDonnell, O.S.J., pastor. Interment, Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 4 to 7 PM at Neil W. Regan Funeral Home, 1900 Pittston Ave., Scranton, PA 18505. The family requests that those attending the Mass on Saturday please proceed directly to the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave, Scranton, PA 18509 or online at www.stfranciskitchen.org or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. To email condolences, visit nwrfh.com.
To email condolences visit nwrfh.com.