Allana Wagner Arnovitz

Allana Wagner Arnovitz, a resident of Elan Gardens, South Abington Twp., passed away Friday at Regional Hospital of Scranton. She had celebrated her 93rd birthday in March. Daughter of Louis and Pearl Fink Wagner, she had lived in the Hill Section prior to moving to West Palm Beach, Florida, and then to Elan Gardens.

Allana was passionate about family, relishing her role as matriarch. As matriarch she was eager to share her point of view with anyone she encountered, especially championing concepts of justice and fairness. She was often heard to utter, "It is just not right." It is an understatement to say she fought for the underdog, the voiceless and the harmed. Her greatest joy was her children, her three grandchildren and her four great-grandchildren. Her role often found her in the kitchen, where she had elevated traditional family recipes to a higher sense of refinement. She reached a local fame in the catering business, that she shared with her daughter, Karen.

She was married more than 50 years to the love of her life, Harold "Heshie" Arnovitz, who preceded her in death. They were inseparable from the moment they met. She assisted her husband in his business, Diamond Furnishings, and the two of them founded Martin J. Lee Carpeting. She played a remarkably supportive role as her husband ascended to vice president of B'nai B'rith International. Allana also played a significant role in her religious life, active in Machzikeh Hadas Congregation, the Scranton Hebrew Day School and Mizrachi Women's Organization.

She was more than an avid reader. She devoured books, with her tastes running from histories, biographies, fiction and even the occasional romance novel. Her knitted items and embroideries were sought after by family members. At Elan Gardens she played a pivotal role in all of the activities, especially because of her penchant for easily making friends and assuming a leadership role. She loved her games: mah-jongg, Word-in-a-Word, blackjack and bingo, having been known to play as many as a dozen or so cards at once.

She is survived by two of her children, Sanford Arnovitz and partner Marise Garofalo, Clarks Summit, and Karen and her husband, Lew Marcus, Dalton. A third child, Kenneth Arnovitz, preceded her in death. She is also survived by three grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer Marcus and Eric Lebovich, Noah and Rachel Klinghoffer Marcus, and Rebecca Marcus. She also is survived by four great-grandchildren, Sara and Aryeh Lebovich, and Frayda and Moshe Marcus; and two sisters, Ruth Leibman, Boca Raton, Fla., and Barbara Sklar, San Francisco, Calif.; as well as nieces and nephews, including Steven Arnovitz.

Special thanks must go to the administration and staff of Elan Gardens, who went above and beyond in making Allana comfortable but also in making her feel special.

Graveside services will be conducted at Dalton Jewish Cemetery on Sunday at 11 a.m. with Rabbi Mordechai Dov Fine officiating. In lieu of flowers, a contribution would be appreciated to the donor's favorite charity or to Elan Gardens. Shiva will be observed at the home of Karen and Lew Marcus, 105 Sunrise Drive, Dalton, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

Funeral arrangements are by the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., Dunmore. To offer a condolence, visit www.ScrantonJewishFunerals.com.