Mercury has gone retrograde. Our beloved Mother Carolyn Salvaggio was mysteriously called to follow the Shining Star of Bethlehem at 9:06 PM on Wednesday December 3, 2025 three days shy of her 83rd birthday. 

A strong believer in Astrology Carolyn entered the Age of Aquarius on December 6, 1942 born to her father Pittston’s Santa Claus Fred Demech and her mom Minnie

Uritz Demech.   Carolyn grew up in a traditional strong Italian household surrounded by food,

family and friends. Carolyn was raised at 15 Cornelia Street next to the Jefferson Park near the Pittston Junction. She demonstrated a creative and artistic ability at a young age and had a key eye for fashion. Carolyn graduated from Pittston High School Class of 1960 where she was Captain of the cheerleaders.

After high school Carolyn attended Bradford Beauty Academy where she began an ambitious and successful career for more than sixty years in cosmetology.

After getting married to her husband Steve from Luzerne Ave in West Pittston the young couple settled in to their new house at 91 New Street in the George Bone Development in Pittston.  Carolyn opened a small salon in the basement of her home. 

As her business grew Carolyn came up with an idea to open a new salon with an astrological theme in 1977 that would

eventually become Star Tresses Grand Salon and Day Spa in West Pittston. Her new business became one of the biggest and most successful salons in Northeastern Pa operating three locations and was named Modern Salon Magazine Salon of the Year in 1991.  As Carolyn’s salon grew she needed more help and had a tough time finding talented stylists. In 1983 she decided that she would open her own Beauty School and train the stylists her way. Star Beauty Academy originally located on Main Street in Pittston grew to four locations in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Bethlehem. 

Her schools graduated hundreds of students who would eventually become some of the most successful salon owners in Northeastern Pa and the Lehigh Valley.  Star Beauty Academy was an award winning super star winning dozens of awards at the Pennsylvania State Beauty Show in Pittsburgh, New Jersey State Beauty Show in Atlantic City and the International Beauty Show in New York City.

All of the awards and trophies are proudly displayed at her salon Star Tresses Grand Salon and Day Spa in Forty Fort. Over the years Carolyn and her staff at her shops and schools held various fundraisers which had a Broadway Show Theme behind them and raised thousands of dollars for charities. Star Tresses and Star Beauty Academy with the help of other local salons teamed up and packed the house at Staircase Lounge, Pittston and the Grand Ballroom at the Woodlands Inn and Resort. 

From the 1970’s to the 1980’s Carolyn founded NEPA staple Sports Page Great Haircuts for Men and Boys in 1994 operating six locations for more than thirty years. The award winning Sports Page was named Best of Greater Pittston, Best of by the Times Leader, The Weekender, Electric City and Best of the Abingtons. 

Outside of working very hard at her beauty businesses Carolyn’s most successful accomplishment was a novel she wrote entitled “In Loving Color” which started off being written on legal pads in the mid 1970’s at her kitchen table at the family home in Pittston. 

After finding some success Carolyn and her family moved to a beautiful home near the river in Forty Fort in 1978 with a beautiful garden and the big fancy pool fictitiously named “Mockersville” by a close family friend.  Carolyn loved to entertain and would host lavish pool parties for her family and friends for many years to come where so many wonderful memories were born. 

Throughout the years Carolyn was active in various community organizations including the Pittston Area PTA, West Pittston Junior Women’s Club and a member of Fox Hill County Club which was very special to her. Many great memories were created over the years for Carolyn and her family. From dinners and weddings at LeMont in Pittsburgh to family trips on Long Beach Island but Carolyn’s most beloved discovery happened in 1983 when she was told by a client at her shop about this beautiful place near Charleston South Carolina named Kiawah Island.

 The beaches, the history, the food and mystique of the Lowcountry are where Carolyn’s earthly remains will be shared with the sand, the ocean and the wind. Carolyn’s love of animals were a major part of her life from her childhood dog Nuggets, her young children’s dog growing up in Pittston Grover, the family’s famous fluffy white Samoyed Chekhov and all of her beloved black cats. May they all meet again. 

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Stephen T.  Salvaggio, two children Stephen and his wife Diane, Hilary and her husband Neal and grandson Nealie and a long lifeline of friends and family.

In addition to her parents Fred and Minnie Demech, Carolyn was preceded in death by her brother, Captain Fred R. Demech Jr USN,  had a distinguished Naval career and sister in law Janet Demech. 

During this unexpected and very difficult time “Let the Sunshine In” and welcome our beloved mother. AMDG

Family and Friends are invited to join the family as they honor Carolyn on Tuesday December 9th, 2025 in Immaculate Conception Church (Corpus Christi Parish) at 605 Luzerne Ave in West Pittston from 9-11am.   A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11am.  Interment will be private and held at the convenience of the family.  

 In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Blue Chip Farms, Dallas Pa. The Salvaggio family would like to thank Dr. Matthews and Super Nurse Maddie at Geisinger Wyoming Valley for their compassion and care that they gave our mother.  

Arrangements are by the Howell -Lussi Funeral Home 509 Wyoming Avenue, West Pittston.