Renee (Ciaruffoli) Taffera

Renee Taffera (Ciaruffoli), of Larksville, slipped into the beyond on July 21, 2023. Her final days on this earth were spent as she lived in it, surrounded by people who cared for her and whom she loved.

Renee was born on August 10, 1954. A Swoyersville native, she was a lifelong learner, graduating from Central Catholic High School, Empire Beauty School, and in adulthood, from Marywood College where she proudly earned her B.S. in Nutrition.

She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, “granny,” aunt, partner, and fiercely loyal friend. She was a trusted confidant, willing to listen and advise whenever she was called upon, earning her place as unofficial counselor to all who knew her well.

With her transition, she joins her predeceased husband, John Taffera. Renee met John at his salon, Ron’s Hair Fashion, changing the trajectory of her life forever. Embracing a rare love, they navigated the fullness of life together, building a home and raising a family until John’s passing in 2006.

Renee’s home and her salon chairs were places of gathering, her company a busy montage of stories and hardships and celebrations. She had a gift for holding space for others, a gift she generously offered to all those who came to call.

In the kitchen, she was known for her legendary cranberry sauce (which she hid away to top off her ice cream) and her unrivaled polenta.

Joys of her adulthood included travel, as she explored the beautiful landscapes of the United States, Spain, Ireland, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, France, and the Netherlands, and visiting her eldest sister, Ronna, in Antigua and Korea. She devoured all this world had to offer and her family would like to believe she’s traveling still.

Renee’s life was punctuated by its share of hardship, caring for both her husband and father-in-law, who fell terminally ill at the same time. But she never complained, opting for compassion and kindness for everyone she knew instead. Years later, Renee found love again, meeting her partner, Michael Giamber. They shared a passion for politics, an interest that eventually led to Renee’s run for council.

Her determination was admirable. Unstoppable when she set her mind to something, Renee was stubborn right to the end when she outlived all doctors’ predictions. She took her cancer diagnosis with impressive grace, savoring every last bit of the life she had left. Her final years were filled with travel, family, bike rides (once solo from her home in Larksville to Harveys Lake), and facing fears head on—like heights, which she conquered with skydiving and hot air balloon adventures.

Those she leaves behind will miss her pragmatic, impromptu talk therapy sessions. They’ll miss the way she laughed with her whole being, her endless cups of black coffee, and the way she left a lipstick tattoo on the face of everyone she said hello to at family get-togethers—the boldest reds and deepest burgundies, a mark of love gracing the cheeks of all those she adored.

Renee is predeceased by her husband, John, and her parents, Robert and Martie Ciaruffoli.

She is survived by her three children: Auralee, Liane, and John; her grandchildren: Grant, Auralee Anna, Luke, Lyla, Zane, John, Jacob, and Ondrea; her great-grandchildren: Cecilia, Chapman, and Kit; her partner, Mike; along with her nine brothers and sisters, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Renee’s family would like to thank the staff at Penn Medicine and the hospice nurses of Allied Services. They’d also like to acknowledge the meticulous care her partner, Mike, provided leading up to her transition. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, a feeling her loved ones will turn to when the weight of her absence is present.

At Renee’s request, a private celebration of life will be held in the coming weeks for family and friends.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort. To share a message of condolence with Renee’s family, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, her family invites donations to be made in Renee’s memory to Allied Services at 100 Abington Executive Park, Clarks Summit, 18411 – Attn: Hospice.

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