Florence Prociak

Florence Mary Prociak, 96, of Margaret Street, Plains Township, passed away at home on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. She was so happy to come home to be with her entire family for her final days.

Florence liked to share with people that she was born in 1929 in the first year of the Great Depression. She just celebrated her 96th birthday on Sept. 22. Florence lived a wonderful life centered on family and faith. Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Mary Jukniewicz Gill and Joseph Peter Gill.

Florence, who was fondly called "Flo" by many dear friends, graduated as Valedictorian from Plains Memorial High School in 1946. She then earned an associate's business degree from Wyoming Seminary Dean School of Business. After graduating from business school, she was employed by Woodlawn Farm Dairy.

Florence married the love of her life, Joseph Prociak, in 1952, and was happily married for 61 years. They had four children, and Florence spent her younger years being a "stay-at-home Mom." When her youngest child turned 7, she went back to work at American Silk Mills in Hudson as an administrative assistant and worked there until her retirement.

Florence was very dedicated to her Catholic faith and was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Church in Plains Township. She always stressed to her family to lead good religious lives and that God will help you through your challenges. Florence was a former member of the Ss. Peter & Paul Sodality, Choir, and Altar and Rosary Societies.

Florence was so proud of all the scholastic and athletic achievements of her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Grandma" was their biggest fan and attended their numerous sporting and scholastic events always providing encouragement and loving support.

Florence was such a sweet and kind person and made everyone with whom she came in contact feel special. At the same time, she was so strong and was such a fighter. She was never mean to anyone but would protect and fight for her loved ones. She was most proud and happiest that her children loved each other and always spent time together with their families.

Her first love was her family and her greatest joy was found in raising her children. She had strong faith and instilled in her children a love of God and family. She stressed the importance of education and ended up typing many term papers for them late into the night when they procrastinated and a deadline loomed. She taught her children to be supportive of each other and to express their love for each other every day. She taught them how to save money, balance a checkbook, and prepare their tax returns. She also taught them how to make all of the traditional meals for holidays, and their favorite memories are of making pierogies to eat at the Wigilia Supper. She also taught her children how to can tomatoes. Canning sessions were a joyful celebration with her family. Florence was patient and kind with all people. Just watching her with her granddaughter Caitlin Rose would tell you all there was to know about Grandma.

Florence was very proud to be a member of the Polish Women's Alliance of America, where she served as president of her local chapter for many years. She always looked forward to the annual Christmas party where she and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren sat on Santa's lap and shared their wishes for Christmas gifts.

In addition to her parents, Florence was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, and brothers Edward J. Gill and Joseph Gill, who fondly called her "Babe."

Surviving are her children, daughter, Ann Marie Durako and her husband, Andrew Durako, Laflin; daughter, Mary Alice Trainor and her husband, Francis Trainor, Jenkins Township; son, Atty. Joseph J. Prociak and his wife Lynn, Forty Fort; son, Michael F. Prociak and his wife, Patricia, Jenkins Township; 12 loving grandchildren, Allison Sanjuanelo and her husband, Jean-Claude; Andrew Durako and his wife, Maria; Krystina and Marissa Durako; Joseph Martin Prociak and his wife, Mary Anne; Kalie Prociak; Kyle Prociak and his wife, Santina; Caitlin Rose Trainor; and Michael Joseph and fiancée, Olivia Scarnulis; Rebecca and fiancé, Sawyer Kemp; and Nicholas and Matthew Prociak; nine wonderful great-grandchildren, Alejandra, Valentina and Jean-Claude Jr. Sanjuanelo, Natalie Durako, Joseph John and Jack Prociak, Piper and Kyle Jr. Prociak, and William Michael Prociak; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Patrick Kerrigan and the staff of Erwine Home Health and Hospice and John Heinz Rehab for their untiring efforts in providing care to Florence during her illness. The family would like to give a very special thank you to Lamara Sterling for her love and dedication in serving as Florence's caregiver for the past two years.

Florence's funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday from Corcoran Funeral Home Inc., 20 S. Main St., Plains Township, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Maria Goretti Church, 42 Redwood Drive, Laflin. The Parish Rosary Group will recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Rosary in the Church a half hour before the funeral Mass. All are invited to join them. Interment will be held in Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Plains Township. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Colleen Shea Children's Foundation, 1086 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

For information, or to leave Florence's family a message of condolence, visit www.corcoranfuneralhome.com.