Gertrude Jane Sanko

1931 - 2021

Gertrude Sanko, 89, of Olyphant, entered into eternal rest Monday at Lackawanna Health and Rehab Center, Peckville, after an illness. She was the widow of Peter P. Sanko, who passed away in 1994.

Born in Olyphant in 1931, she was a daughter to the late James and Gertrude Reeves Dempsey. She was a graduate of Olyphant High School and Lackawanna Business College. She was employed by Daystrom before getting married in 1954 in St. Patrick's Church, Olyphant.

After her children were school-aged, she was briefly employed at Pawnee Pants in Olyphant and then gained employment in the housekeeping department at CMC Hospital in Scranton, until her retirement.

She was preceded in death by an infant brother, Walter; two sisters, Kathryn Dempsey and Louise Hedden; and a granddaughter, Erica Lynn McGuire.

Surviving are her seven children, Paul and wife, Kathy, Abbottstown, Pa.; Kathryn Russell, San Antonio, Texas; Michele Clark, Throop; Timothy and wife, Christine, Nicholson; Ann Marie Benasutti and husband, Arthur, Archbald; Robert, Olyphant; and Sarah, Eynon; four sisters, Pat Lou Strong, Virginia Beach, Va.; Mary Fitzmaurice, Litchfield, Maine; Sarah Sheridan, Justus; Michele Smigiel and husband, Ed, Justus; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Lackawanna Health and Rehab for their dedication to the residents during the difficult circumstances of COVID-19.

Due to the pandemic, there are no calling hours. There will be a private funeral service Friday with interment in Fairview Memorial Park, Elmhurst.

Arrangements are under the care of the John J. Turko and Sons Funeral Home, Dickson City.