Joanna Lipka

Joanna (Joan) Lipka, 85, of Hunlock Creek, passed away Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, in the Berwick Hospital Center.

Married for 56 years, she was the beloved wife of Steve Lipka, who preceded her in death in 2006.

Joanna was born Nov. 30, 1931, in Nanticoke, where she grew up and later spent her adult life living in the Hunlock Creek-Shickshinny area and briefly in Virginia.

She was the daughter of the late George and Jennie Kohanski Yanchik of Nanticoke and one of four children, Edwin (deceased), Cecilia and George.

Joanna attended the Nanticoke school system and worked briefly before becoming a consummate homemaker and loving mother. She was an incredible baker and magnificent cook. Known for her baking talents and skills, her baked goods were highly sought after and requested by friends and other members of the local community.

Joanne was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Lake Silkworth.

She was loved dearly by her children and grandchildren, family members and friends as witnessed by her constant nurturing love and faith. Joanna was a devout Christian with tireless spirituality who loved the lord deeply. Her children and grandchildren have been blessed through her unwavering Christian example and unconditional love.

Joanna is survived by her four children, Attorney David Lipka and his wife, Wendy, Shavertown; Dr. Stephen M. Lipka and Sharon, Lexington, Ky.; Diane McCabe and her husband, Edward, Shavertown; and Janet Weiss and her husband, James, Shickshinny, with whom Joan resided; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Cecilia Cikowski; and brother, George Yanchik.

Joanna's family would like to extend a personal message of our sincerest gratitude to our mother's loyal and devoted friend, Rita Brennan, her faithful caregiving visits with Denise Hampton, the professionalism, response and compassion of the Huntington Mills and Berwick Ambulance Associations and the compassion and dedicated heath care professionals of the Berwick Hospital Center ER.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday from Charles L. Cease Funeral Home, 634 Reyburn Road, Shickshinny, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:15 p.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2011 state Route 29, Hunlock Creek.

Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Friends may call from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Huntington Mills Ambulance, Berwick Ambulance or the Berwick Hospital Center ER.