Ann Rose Tutka

Heaven was blessed with a special angel this Christmas. My beautiful mom, Ann Rose Tutka, left this Earth Christmas Eve to be reunited with the love of her life, Joe (Pan Josek) Tutka. They were married for 60 years until his passing in 2013.

Ann (Annie or Anna) as she was known to her friends and family was born in 1920 to Alexander and Caroline Krasoski, shortly after the annual St. Ann's Novena, the saint for which she was named. She was totally devoted to her patron saint and attended the annual novena her entire life. Annie recently turned 97, no one could ever correctly guess her age. The most common guess was 77 which brought a huge smile to her beautiful face.

Annie was a tough cookie. She put up a hard fight to stay on this earth but she chose a very meaningful day to leave us. I'm thankful that she spent those last days in the home that her dad had built and where she had lived 90+ years. She had survived many hard times, World War II, the Great Depression, flood of 1952, the tragic deaths of some of her siblings and the loss of her beloved Joey. She was the caregiver to her entire family. She was the glue that held our family together. When she needed help this past year she felt guilty that someone had to help her. I was blessed to have been able to spend these last years with both my parents who have given me so much.

Despite having her first heart attack in her 50s it was her heart that was the strongest till the very end. I want that to be an inspiration to anyone that has been recently diagnosed with heart disease. With the care of wonderful doctors and listening to their advice and caring for yourself, you too, have the potential to live a long, happy life.

Her heart was loving, giving and forgiving. My mom inspired me each and every day with her strength and wisdom. She was smart and feisty. She had strong opinions and never hesitated to express them. She was proud to have voted in every presidential election. My mom was a woman of many talents. She was a seamstress at Lackawanna Pants as a teenager. She sewed all my clothes when I was young until her arthritis made it too difficult. She crocheted beautiful afghans throughout the years. She was super crafty. She has left me so much to treasure. No one ever left Annie's table hungry, she was an exceptional cook, especially all her special Polish dishes. She enjoyed socializing with the Sloan Seniors and Friday pizza nights with friends. She looked forward to her nightly Pinochle games with her buddies Marie, Claire, Sandy, Flo, Mary and Betty. Annie loved the casino, poker, bingo/pokino. Special thanks to John, Ron and Zack, the hotel valets who made it so easy for Annie to visit her favorite happy place. They were always happy to help her and to Mark, Bill and the entire staff of Ruth's Chris who always made her feel so welcome.

Although I (Carol) was her only daughter, she was "mom" to so many of my close friends, too many to mention, who called/texted everyday these past months to see how she was doing. We are forever grateful for their love, prayers and support. She will be missed by her "other daughter" my BFF, Cyndi Gallucci-Buerkle, and her godson, John (Jack) Frankowski and wife, Andrea, who were always there for her.

Also surviving are her nieces, Leone Sweedo, Gina Fatum and husband, Charlie; and Karen Rogowski; her grandkitties, Mishka and Zoe; numerous great, great-great and great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Her brothers, Joe, Frank and Tony; and sisters, Lottie and Rose, as well as infant sisters, Helen and Irene, and her lifelong best friend, Mildred, also preceded her in death.

Heartfelt thanks to all her wonderful doctors through the years: Dr. Grattalino, Dr. S Ross, Dr. Yeager, Dr. Pancholy and associates, Dr. Gillick and MaryEllen, Dr. Paczkowski, Dr. Armando Salavanti, Dr. Ken Sebastianelli, Dr. Digwood and Dr. Kurt Moran. Dr. Moran, cannot thank you enough for always remembering Anna and being there for her when she needed you the most. Your compassionate care and home visits will never be forgotten. Also special thanks to the Rev. Myron Myronyuk for his many visits, spiritual guidance and comfort, A heartfelt thank you to the angels at Allied Skilled 2S and lastly to Al and Tim Hughes who were always just a phone call away.

Please bid Ann farewell at the Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann St., Scranton, on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Panachyda Service will be at 6. Divine Liturgy will be on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 430 N. Seventh Ave., Scranton, by the Rev. Myron Myronyuk. Interment will be in the parish cemetery, Minooka section of Scranton. Those attending the funeral are asked to be at the funeral home by 9:45.

If you would like to remember her in a special way, donations can be sent to St. Vladimirs Church or Cheryl Kay Foundation, 661 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139.

Mom, no more worries, no more pain, you have more than earned a heavenly rest, Idz'z Bogiem. Vichnaya Pamyat.