Janet Marie Kostick

Janet Marie (Lawrence) Kostick, 84, of West Hazleton, passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2022, at Heritage Hill Senior Community, Weatherly. Janet's family is forever grateful for the compassionate care she received from everyone at Heritage Hill, and for the love and support provided by the hospice nurses.

Born in West Hazleton, Janet graduated from West Hazleton High School and then worked for several offices in the Hazleton area. At the age of 15, although she did not know it at the time, Janet met the love of her life, Daniel Kostick, then 17, before he entered the service and went on to college. Years later they ran into each other again and, as they say, the rest is history. Married for 60 years, theirs was a love for the ages. Together they raised three children, welcomed ten grandchildren into their lives, and became Pizza Hut franchisees for more than 40 years.

Motherhood was Janet's true calling. In addition to raising her own three children, Janet nurtured everyone she welcomed into her home, offering Smidgens and homemade "snackies," a listening ear and a warm embrace. She had true compassion and saw the best in people. A visit with Janet was always good for the soul. She was the personification of kindness.

As the family grew, Janet fully embraced her role as "Mam Mam," spending as much time as possible with each grandchild. When she wasn't pedaling a surrey in Cape May, picking grapefruits in Palm Springs or riding "It's a Small World" in Disney, Janet could be found teaching her grandchildren how to make pierogis, pumpkin squares and peanut butter eggs. Her self-deprecating humor made everything fun. There was not a better sound in the world than Janet's laughter.

A devout Catholic and gifted vocalist, Janet enjoyed singing with the St. John Bosco Roman Catholic Church choir in Conyngham. She also spent many hours volunteering in the Bishop Hafey High School cafeteria and the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Hazleton.

Together, Jan and Dan found great joy in attending live theater and musical performances. The Palm Springs International Film Festival was an annual highlight for many years, as well. They also enjoyed their international adventures in Jamaica, Bermuda, Denmark and Canada, as well as countless road trips across the United States.

Janet was predeceased by her parents, George and Alma Lawrence; two brothers, Ronald Lawrence and George J. Lawrence; mother-in-law, Mary Kostick Sherry; father-in- law, Michael Kostick; and brothers-in-law, Eugene Kostick, Raymond Kostick and Paul Kostick.

Janet is survived by her loving husband, Daniel P. Kostick; three children, Lori Pittinger, Akron, Ohio; Robert Kostick and his wife, Jean, Keene, N.H.; and Renee Reynolds and her husband, Keith, Alexandria, Va.; grandchildren, Sean and his wife, Mallory; Devin, Ethan, Henry, Baden, Audrey, Mariel, Keenan, Sophia and Zoe; sisters-in-law, Doris Pollock, Jerry Kostick and Pam Kostick; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. John Bosco Roman Catholic Church, Conyngham. Private burial services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or hospice services by Maylath Valley Health Systems Inc. in Janet's honor.

Arrangements under the direction of Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc.