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Anna (Bobshe) Harris, 97, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Sunday morning, Jan. 20, 2013, at Riverstreet Manor, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Jan. 6, 1916, in Duryea, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Amelia Zalenski.
Anna formerly resided in Park Avenue Towers, Wilkes-Barre, for many years. She enjoyed cooking, playing the piano for her grandchildren and bus trips.
Anna embraced her Polish heritage, but her greatest joy was being called "Bobshe" by her grandchildren. She took great pride in her family's accomplishments. She would brag about her children and grandchildren continuously, to anyone and everyone who would lend her an ear. She will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted "Ma," "Bobshe" and friend.
Preceding her in death were her first husband, Charles VanAuken; second husband, Raymond Harris; her loving son, Gordon VanAuken; daughter-in-law, Joan VanAuken; brothers, Stanley Zalenski and Henry Zalenski; and sisters-in-law, Rosemary Zalenski and Ruth Zalenski.
Anna is survived by her children, Judge Robert VanAuken, Arkansas; Linda Barnes, California; and Ron Harris, California; daughters-in-law, Barbara Miller, Arkansas; and Tammy Harris, Plymouth; grandchildren, Gordon VanAuken, Nevada; Jackie Kaptain, Nevada; Robbie VanAuken, Arkansas; Puneeth and Annie Sherwin, Wisconsin; Amanda Harris, Plymouth; and Kevin Harris, Plymouth; great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Anna's family would like to thank Dr. John Carey, as well as the staff at Riverstreet Manor, for the compassionate care they bestowed upon her throughout the years.
Anna was a member of the United Methodist Church.
A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.
Funeral arrangements are by S.J. Grontkowski Funeral Home, 530 W. Main St., Plymouth.
Please visit www.sjgrontkowskifuneralhome.comto submit online condolences to Anna's family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
I'm sorry to hear about your mom, my aunt. I enjoyed our visits when I'd go back to Pa. she had so much to offer with a kind heart and a welcome smile. She'll be missed by all. She loved us all especially her grandchildren and always praised her children Be at peace Aunt Anna. Love you
Clare Skolnick
January 28, 2013
Dear linda and family . I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. I loved her , I know her since i was a kid. she lived on our street .
well I then met up with her in the Nursing home at Riverstreet Manor, my mom was there too , but then my mom passed away in march of 2009 but I still went back over there and to see all the fine Residents that I knew and loved there . Anna being one of them she would always hug me and tell me she loved me .while i was there everyday when mom was there I would see Anna coming down the hall in her electric wheelchair, she came looking for me .and she would ask me if I would come over to her room to see that I would get her clothes out for the next day , she knew what she always wanted to wear But God love her I would lay them out for her and she wanted to always thank me and want to give me something for helping her I told her you never have to give me anything, I would not take anything for helping her ,I was so glad to help this fine lady that I knew since I was a kid and went to her house to viist Linda . May you rest in Peace nmy dear friend .I will miss you as I go over to the home to visit , I will miss your little face looking at me with a big smile telling me you were so glad to see me .I love you my friend . please accept our deepest sympathy . she was ever so proud of her family and her son Bobby the judge . she had that picture of him there with the president . RIP and we love you . Hazel and jimmy
Hazel Pepe
January 27, 2013
I remember Mrs. Harris. She lived accross the hall from my Mother on 2nd flr.at Park ave.towers in the early 1980's.She lived in 218 my Mom lived in 219. They became great friends.Anna was a wonderful, kind woman, with a big heart. Such a beautiful woman.Heaven surely has an angel..RIP Anna.
AnneMarie (Passetti) McGlynn
January 27, 2013
97 years on Gods Earth and she was loved by so many and so many that were waiting for her when she was called home. Many Memories for Bobshe and I am thankful I was able to know her. God Bless you and thank you for the smiles and the memories.
Gil
January 26, 2013
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