MaryClaire Ferrese Morris
OBITUARY
MaryClaire Ferrese Morris passed away on Friday, January 30th, 2026 at Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton. MaryClaire was born in Scranton, Pa. on April 21st, 1953 to the late Patrick and Norma Nicoteri Ferrese. She resided with her parents on Drinker Street in Dunmore, later in Washington, DC, Dickson City, Pa. and Jessup.
MaryClaire graduated from Dunmore Central Catholic High School in 1971, obtained an associate degree in Merchandising from Penn State University, Dunmore, in 1973, and a Bachelor or Arts Degree in Secondary Education at Marywood University, in 1975. MaryClaire was also an accomplished piano player and ballet and tap dancer.
MaryClaire worked for many years at the former Globe Store and Woodsworth and Lothrop Department Store in Washington, DC. She was a substitute teacher for many years at the Dunmore Elementary Center and Valley View High School. She gave piano lessons and held recitals at her home in Dickson City which she shared with her former husband Doctor William Morris. MaryCaire engaged in an array of charitable works, including helping the Little Sisters of the Poor with the elderly residents at Holy Family Residence in Dunmore. She also assisted at local Red Cross Blood Drives, and along with her Aunt Claire put on many fashion shows and other activities for the Sisters at Saint Gabriel’s Monastery and Retreat Center.
MaryClaire was blessed with extreme beauty both inside and out. She appeared on the cover of the former Scrantonian Rotogravure on the April first, 1973 edition. She was approached several times by Hollywood movie scouts who had seen her in dance recitals and wanted her to go to Hollywood for a screen test. She declined in deference to her parents. MaryClaire’s extraordinary kindness and gentleness was felt by all who knew her and was extended to anyone she met. She especially enjoyed reminiscing and sharing memories with others. She was a devout Roman Catholic who had a special devotion to Saint Padre Pio. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she enjoyed putting her little house decorations around the house and decorating the Christmas tree. She loved to watch the snow fall and thinking about her dad’s love of winter scenes and Christmas. She also enjoyed attending the Northeast Philharmonic and going to nice restaurants; also her favorite entertainment was watching British Mysteries, especially Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
The family would like to thank Dr. Daniel Kazmierski for the many years he cared for MaryClaire and the staff of Allied Skilled Nursing and Dunmore Health Care and the staff of Geisinger Critical Care for their excellent care .
MaryClaire is survived, by her brother Joseph Ferrese, Jessup, cousins; JoAnn Nicoteri Considine and husband Jack, Mary Frances Gildea, Lawler Nicoteri and wife Carole, John Topalanck and wife Pamela, Robert Nicoteri and wife Ann, David Nicoteri and wife Michelle and several other cousins.She was preceded in death by a daughter, Catherine Morris.
The funeral will be held Saturday, February 7, with mass at 10AM at St. Carlo Acutis Parish, St. Patrick’s Church, Olyphant. Interment will be held at a later date at St. Mary’s Assumption Church, Scott Township. Friends may call from 9 to time of Mass, at the church. Arrangements are under the care of the Margotta Funeral Homes. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Rd., S. Abington Twp., PA 18411.
MaryClaire Ferrese Morris
January 30, 2026