Sophia B. Lapinsky

Sophia B. Lapinsky, 94, of Hazle Twp., died Tuesday.

Preceding her death was her husband, Bernard Jr., on Aug. 1, 2014.

Born in West Hazleton, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Anna (Gruszka) Betley.

She attended Hazle Twp. High School and was employed with Sears Roebuck Co. for 30 years as supervisor of the catalog telephone department.

Sophia was a choir directress and Eucharistic minister at the Holy Name of Jesus Church (Transfiguration Church) of West Hazleton and was active in many church functions. She volunteered for American Red Cross and Meals on Wheels and was a member of Hazleton Senior Citizens and Hazleton Senior Choice.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, John and Anthony Podraza, Louis, Walter, Stanley and Andrew Betley; and sisters, Mary Swindro, Josephine Zola and Agnes Petrosky.

Surviving are sisters, Anna Perkowski and Louise Mylet; children, David Lapinsky and wife, Elaine; Kathy (Lapinsky) Koch and husband, Henry; and Bernard Lapinsky III and wife, Anne; grandchildren, Michael Koch and wife, Melissa; Jeffrey Koch and wife, Michelle; Eric Koch and wife, Danielle; Kristina (Lapinsky) Abreu and husband, Miguel; Brian Lapinsky and wife, Shannon; and Emily Rose Lapinsky; and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Madeline, Henry, Oliver and Evelyn Koch; Jericho John Abreu; and Twyla Lapinsky.

The funeral will be held Monday in Holy Name of Jesus Church, West Hazleton. A calling hour will be at 9 a.m. followed by Mass at 10 a.m.

Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Red Cross.

The family would like to send a special thank you to the entire staff at Laurels Senior Living Community, and to Maylath's Valley Health Systems, Inc. for their care and support.

Hilary J. Bonin Funeral Home, 99 W. Green St., West Hazleton, is assisting the family.