Anna Wolensky

SHAVERTOWN — Anna (Havrilla) Wolensky, 91, of Shavertown, fell asleep in the Lord early Tuesday morning, Jan. 24, 2017, at the Post Acute Medical Unit at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, Wilkes-Barre.

She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Kovach) Havrilla.

Born in Swoyersville on Nov. 13, 1925, Anna was educated in parochial and public schools in Swoyersville, Kingston Township and Lehman. She was the valedictorian of the Lehman High School, class of 1943. She received her early sacraments in St. Nicholas Byzantine Greek Catholic Church, Swoyersville, where she was wedded in holy matrimony to Paul Wolensky, of Swoyersville, in 1952.

She worked as a secretary at Lehman High School prior to her marriage, after which she devoted herself to being a good mother and homemaker. She was very proud of her role in the family, and considered her responsibility of formation of her family and care for her home as being of the highest importance. After her husband Paul passed away in 1974, she returned to work in the library of the Lehman-Jackson Elementary School until her retirement in the early 1990s. She remained dedicated to her church and family.

Anna was a faithful member of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of Edwardsville for 65 years where her son, the Rev. Paul Wolensky, serves as pastor. She was the first president of the St. Vladimir Women's Society, when it was newly formed by her late pastor, the Rev. Alex Burak, after his arrival at St. Vladimir's, following the Agnes flood of 1972. She was choir director and cantor at St. Vladimir's for many years and helped the liturgical music traditions of the parish to survive and flourish.

Until late 2016, Anna served as cantor-emeritus at the Saturday evening Divine Liturgy at St. Vladimir's. She capably assisted with church office duties and was an especially loyal and steadfast worker at the St. Vladimir's Pyrohy Sale fundraisers. Her deep faith in God, love of her church and her cheerful demeanor was an example and inspiration to many.

Along with her parents and husband, Anna was preceded in death by her cherished grandparents, Andrew and Mary Kovach; her sister, Madeline; and her brother, Edward.

Anna is survived by her daughters, Joan Wolensky and Margie Seely; son, Paul Wolensky; sister, Bernadine Havrilla; granddaughters, Maurisa Pieczynski, Jen Fela and Elizabeth Seely; and grandson, Peter Seely; along with nieces and nephews, all of whom she held dear.

Her funeral will take place at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 70 Zerby Ave., Edwardsville, on Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. Morning visitation will begin at 11 a.m. inside the church. Funeral Divine Liturgy will begin at 1 p.m. Anna's son, Father Paul, will serve as main celebrant, with brother clergy as concelebrants. Viewing and visitation will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, inside the church. Panakhyda memorial service will be sung, beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. Anna's earthly remains will be laid to rest at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Lake Street, Dallas. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of The Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings to the St. Vladimir Church Mortgage Fund would be greatly appreciated.