Harriet Kowak

Harriet M. Kowak
April 16, 2007

Harriet M. Kowak, 88, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Monday, April 16, 2007.

Born in Ashley to the late James and Harriet (Hattie Casey) Cooney, she resided at her home in Ashley until her death.She was a member of Saint Leo's Church Ashley all of her life.

Harriet attended St. Leo's grade school and graduated from Coughlin High School. As a young girl, she worked in the dietary kitchen of the Mercy Hospital. She was a talented singer and dancer and had studied voice under Hilda Man Hertz and she played piano. She also appeared at the Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey where she tap-danced and sang. She was well known for her talent as a singer on WBRE radio where she sang weekly with an introduction by Franklin Coslett, until her teens. She eventually graduated from the Mackin School of nursing in 1957 and worked as a Practical Nurse at various nursing homes in the 50's and 60's. She also worked at Muskin Manufacturing until her retirement in 1989 at the age of 70. In 1995, she wrote a campaign song for Bill Clinton which was sung by the ILGWU singers when First Lady Hillary Clinton came to Wilkes-Barre at the FM Kirby.

Harriet was preceded in death by her husband Stephen J. Kowak in 1999; her infant sister Marie, her brothers Jerome, James (Chick) and Patrick Cooney, former District Justice and Mayor of Ashley.

Surviving are her brother, Gilbert Cooney and his wife Geraldine, Ashley; children Beverly Jean Johnston and her husband Ralph, Kingston; Sherlene Long and her husband John, Sugar Notch; Stephen J Kowak and his wife Janine, Georgia; Lawrence Schaefer and his wife Myrna Lou, Hughestown; Marilyn Kowak, Diane Bartoli, Sarasota, Florida; Elaine Kientz and her husband John, Richmond, Va.

Also surviving are her grandchildren, John Long, his wife, Denise and their children, Katlin, Gregory and Michael, Schnecksville,; Kelly McGovern, her husband James and their children, Sara and Josh, Wyoming,; Jim Long and his companion Jennifer Garcia, New Jersey; Elizabeth Ayers, her husband Robert and their children Brandyn and Ryan, Hughestown; Sharon Yencharis, her husband, David Grigsby, SanDiego,California; Carolyn Yencharis, her husband Bil Corcoran, Harveys Lake; Rebecca Kientz, Richmond. Va; Steffanie and Rene Schaefer, Hughestown. Charles Lingle, his wife Angelina, their children Lea, Amy and Jeania. She is also survived by her nieces Gildine Cooney Musial, Wilkes-Barre; nephew James Cooney, York; nieces, Netta Lignowski, California; Patti Ann Varley, S. Carolina; Maureen Rudnicki and Lynn Cooney, Mountaintop. Also surviving is her Great Aunt Catherine Morio 98 years old and her son Ted Morio, Selingsgrove, Pa.; cousins Delores Casey Kepplin, San Francisco, California and Charlene Aben, Swoyersville. She is also survived by her companion whom she loved dearly, Morris the cat.

Harriet loved life and was blessed to have a long and healthy one. She will be missed for her wonderful sense of humor, her delicious cooking, her many jokes and witty sayings. Those whom she met along the way loved her very much. She spoke with her family daily to tell them she was praying for them.

We often likened her to Mother Teresa, she was always taking care of someone who was sick or giving something to someone who needed it, she was totally unattached to material things. She was always ready to go out to dinner with her family and celebrate everyone's birthday and anniversary. Our last celebration was two days before she passed away. She spent the day with her family celebrating her great grandson Ryan's birthday at the Red Robin along with all the grandchildren, great grandchildren and her daughters, Beverly and Sherlene. The afternoon ended with her checking her lottery tickets and watching the great grandchildren bowl at Chacko's.

Harriet's family is especially thankful to her doctor, David Owens, M.D., who took excellent care of her over the years.

Funeral will be held Thursday, April 19 from Strish Funeral Home, Main Street Ashley with Funeral Mass at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Leo's Church, Manhatten Street, Ashley.

Friends may call Wednesday, April 18th 2007 from 5 to 9 P.M. Memorials may be sent in her memory to the SPCA, St Leo's Parish or the charity of the donors choice.