Ruth A. Sova

Ruth A. Sova, 83, of Nanticoke, passed away Saturday morning, June 27, 2020, at her son, Mark's, home in Lebanon.

Ruth fought a brave battle with cancer for over a year with the love and support of her family, her son, Mark and his wife, Carol, who cared for her in their home, and a great group of their friends in the Lebanon area.

Ruth had a larger than life personality; she was strong-willed, spirited, adventurous, engaging, generous and loving. She was the person you could always depend on for help. You could always turn to Ruth for advice, a laugh, or a glass of wine. Ruth enjoyed gardening, crocheting and cooking. She was happy to gift friends, family and neighbors with her famous home-made pierogies, canned beets, fruit cakes and her coveted crocheted afghans. You could also expect a card in the mail from her to mark any occasion - and was known for including a two-dollar bill in those cards.

She enjoyed being a mother, but especially enjoyed being a grandmother. Everyone looked forward to going to Grammy Ruth's house! Visits were always fun and always included a few scratch-off tickets. Ruth appreciated many of the small things in life. Riding the bus to pick up groceries was more than a chore to Ruthie, she saw it as an opportunity to get to know everyone in her community - especially her favorite bus driver, Joe. Ruth shared this outlook with her family and especially loved to travel to visit her grandchildren.

In addition to raising her family, Ruth worked for 30 years at the Wyoming Valley Country Club with one of her best friends and neighbor, Jeanie Rapchak. They enjoyed going to bingo together and always made the most of every day. Jeanie's son, Brian, helped Ruth with anything she needed done around the house. Ruth's neighbor, Leona Merolla, was her best friend and they were always up for an adventure and had many funny stories to share about their times together. The family would like to thank Leona and Brian for all of their help and support in the past few years.

Ruth, the daughter of the late Sylvester and Anna Stanitis Kerlavage, was born July 26, 1936, in Wilkes-Barre. She attended GAR High School and was a member of St. Faustina Kowalska Parish. She was married to Stanley Sova for 30 years until his passing on March 3, 1986.

She was preceded in death by her husband and was the last member of her immediate family, being preceded by five siblings.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Wayne Sova and wife, Joy, Olean, N.Y.; Ray Sova and wife, Lori Reisterstown, Md.; Paula DeRuntz and husband, John Colleyville, Texas; Mark Sova and wife, Carol, with whom she resided in Lebanon; and Stanley Sova and wife, Vangie, Wilkes-Barre; grandchildren, Alexandra Cottle (Daniel), Elizabeth Sova, Justin Sova, Meghan Williams (Caleb), Michael Sova, Jack DeRuntz, Ann DeRuntz, Nicole Sova, Alexis Sova, Natalie Sova, Sophie Sova, Stanley Sova Jr. and Kevin Sova; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday from Davis-Dinelli Funeral Home, 170 E. Broad St., Nanticoke, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, primary site, 520 S. Hanover St., Nanticoke, with the Rev. James R. Nash, her pastor, as celebrant.

Interment will be in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Bear Creek.

Viewing and visitation hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

To leave the family a condolence or expression of sympathy, please visit www.dinellifuneralhome.com.