Janeann (Averello) Kakalecz

 Janeann Kakalecz of Dillsburg, PA died peacefully at home on Monday, June 1st, 2026.  She was 63 years old.

     Born and raised in Paterson NJ, Janeann was baptized at St. Anthony’s RC Church on Beech St. in Paterson.  She received the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Gerard Majella RC Church  also in Paterson NJ , where she attended elementary school from K-8th grade, educated by The Salesian Sisters of, St. John Bosco.

   After completing elementary school she throughly enjoyed 4  more years  being a student of the Salesian Sisters at Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon NJ.

   Upon graduation from High School She pursued a nursing degree from William Paterson University in Wayne NJ.  She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1986 and began her 38 year career in Maternal /Child Health Nursing . Her first job  as a registered nurse was at Mt. Siniai Medical Center, NY , NY.  Where she worked for three years , and then at The General Hospital of Passaic,  NJ from 1990- 2002. All these years were spent as a Labor and Delivery Nurse.

     In 1989 she was married to her husband of 36 years Peter Kakalecz at The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson NJ.  They were blessed with two children, John and Laura Kakalecz whom they raised in West Caldwell NJ .

    In 2009 Janeann received her Master of Science Degree from Rutgers University ( formerly the NJ Collage of Medicine and Dentistry) in Newark, NJ.  She earned a Certification in Nurse Midwifery and initially taught nursing at both Mountainside School of Nursing in Montclair, NJ and the Caldwell University in Caldwell, NJ from 2010 - 2014.

     In 2014 her and her husband Peter relocated to central PA in order that she begin her work as a Certified Nurse Midwife at Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill, PA.  She worked there through 2021 until the “Birthplace” was closed.  At that time she began working at UPMC in Carlisle, joining her former colleagues to form UPMC Divine Mercy.  She retired in December of 2024.

     Janeann loved reading, spending time outdoors , helping her husband Peter gardening, and playing with their dogs.  She also enjoyed crafting and homemaking, decorating their home for every season and holiday!

     Central to her life was her Catholic faith and she was a member of her very beloved parish of St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr in Harrisburg, PA staffed by the FSSP (Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter) since her moving to PA in 2014.

     Prior to moving Janeann became a Third Order Carmelite at the Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima in Pequannock, NJ on July 16, 2013,  and tried to live a life devoted to Carmelite Spirituality and prayer.

     Janeann is survived by her husband Peter and children John and Laura (Mikhala Heil) Kakalecz.  She is preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Theresa Averello Jr. Also survived by her brother Vincent Averello III and his wife Susan and nephew and niece Vincent the IV and Jessica of Bayonne, NJ.

    Friends and family are invited to Cocklin Funeral Home, Inc.,  30 N. Chestnut St., Dillsburg PA on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm for her wake.  A second wake will be held prior to her service on Saturday from 8:00 am-9:00 am at her church.

    A Requiem High Mass will be held at St. Lawrence , 110 State St., Harrisburg, PA on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 9:00 am followed  immediately by the burial, which will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Mechanicsburg, PA

    A repass will be held at St. Lawrence Parish Center ,  110 State St. Harrisburg, PA following  the burial.

    In lieu of flowers a contribution can be made to St. Lawrence  Generation to Generations Capital Campaign , Harrisburg Pa  (www.stlawrence.cc) or to The FSSP - Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton NE (fssolgs.org)