Leonora ‘Norie’ E. (Grudis) MacDonald
OBITUARY
On March 22, 2026, Norie Grudis Patelunas MacDonald passed away peacefully at the age of 87.
Norie was the daughter of the late Adam and Leonora (Genevich) Grudis and the wife of the late Jerome Patelunas and her second husband, the late Neil J. MacDonald. After graduating from the former Scranton Central High School, Norie raised her family and worked at J.C. Penney for three decades prior to her retirement.
Norie enjoyed spending time with the friends she met in her travels, and with loved ones at the lake or just relaxing by the ocean. Norie had a special wit about her that always brought a smile to those around her.
In her final act of thoughtfulness, Leonora wrote her own obituary so that her family didn’t have to.
Of Roman Catholic faith, she was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Church in West Scranton.
Norie is survived by her daughter, Lisa Root and husband Richard; sons, Jerry Potelunas and Anthony Potelunas and wife RaeDean; four stepsons, Neil F. MacDonald, Gregory MacDonald and wife Jennifer, Brian MacDonald and wife Cherry, and Thomas MacDonald and wife Kristen; two grandsons, Richard and Aaron Root; a great-grandson, Colton Root; siblings, siblings, Thomas Grudis and wife Carol of Moosic, Ann Marie Greco and husband Joe of Jermyn, Mary Helen Kovatch of Scranton and Margaret Nudelman and husband Alan of Dickson City; and many nieces and nephews.
Norie was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia Patelunas, and four sisters, Regina Hanlon, Georgina Davitt, Alberta Rogers, and Dorothy MacDonald.
As per Norie’s wishes, a Mass of Christian Burial will be privately celebrated by Rev. Richard Fox at St. Patrick’s Church, West Scranton, with burial to follow at the Cathedral Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Ave., Scranton. Please visit the funeral home’s website to leave a condolence.
“If you are reading this, I wish you a day filled with kind people, lots of smiles, and unexpected blessings!” -Norie.
Leonora ‘Norie’ E. (Grudis) MacDonald
March 22, 2026