Lillian Mayka

Lillian Mayka, 93, of South Main Road, Mountain Top, passed away Saturday morning, Oct. 6, 2012, at Mountain Top Senior Care Center.

She was born in Dugger, Ind., on Dec. 28, 1918, the daughter of the late Thomas Morgan and Betty Hope Morgan Jones, and relocated to Nanticoke. She would later move to Mountain Top in 1950, where she lived the remainder of her life.

She graduated from Nanticoke High School in 1936, and received her bachelor's degree from Bucknell University. She also received a master's degree equivalence, attending Columbia University, New York City; Boston University, and Hamilton College, Clinton, N.Y. She also acquired a master's degree in comparative education from Wilkes University.

She was an educator in the Crestwood School District for 30 years. She began her career as a social studies and English teacher at Fairview High Scool, and later taught French at Crestwood High School. She held the position of guidance couselor at the time of her retirement.

Lillian was an active member of the Mountain Top Presbyterian Church. She was also a member of the Wilkes-Barre Business and Professional Women's Organization, Pennsylvania Retired Teachers Association, and Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward W. Mayka; infant sister, Phyllis; and daughter-in-law, Camille Mudrak Mayka.

Surviving are her sons, Edward R. Mayka and Thomas J. Mayka and his wife, Esther; a daughter, Linda J. Mayka-Schwartz and her husband, James, all of Mountain Top. She is the grandmother of 10, including Diane Mayka-Nulton and her husband, Matt, Shermansdale; David Mayka and his wife, Delia, Katy, Texas; Tanya Mayka-Cease and her husband, Charles, Muhlenberg; Danielle Mayka-Godshall and her husband, Charles, Quakertown; Camille Mayka-Otto and her husband, Will, Marysville; Tara Mayka, Philadelphia; Thomas R. Mayka, Mountain Top; Adriane Schwartz-Adamczyk, Mountain Top; Laura Schwartz, Las Vegas, Nev.; and Edward Schwartz, Mountain Top. She is also a great-grandmother to Sarah Cease, Stephanie Reyes, Jennifer Reyes, Cassandra Nulton, Isaac Nulton, Christopher Godshall, Logan Godshall, Mia Reyes, Bodhi Malay and Lillian Rose Schwartz-Hernandez. Also surviving are her brother, George Morgan and his wife, Lillian, Bartow, Fla., and nieces and nephews.

Lillian's family would like to thank the staff of the Mountain Top Senior Care Center and Compassionate Care Hospice for the kindness and care they provided.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, 9 Chestnut St., Mountain Top, with the Rev. James Shanley officiating.

Interment will be in Alberts Cemetery, Wright Township.

Friends may call at the church from 10:30 a.m. until time of service Friday, and from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Charles L. Cease Funeral Home, 634 Reyburn Road, Shickshinny.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mountain Top Presbyterian Church, 9 Chestnut St., Mountain Top, PA 18707.

For directions or online condolences, please visit www.charleslceasefuneralhome.com.