Josephine P. Austra McDermott

LUZERNE — Josephine P. Austra McDermott, of Luzerne Towers, passed away on Tuesday morning, Aug. 21, 2018, in her sleep at her residence in Luzerne. She was born in Wilkes-Barre on March 18, 1931, a daughter of Martin and Anna Austra. She was the youngest of 10.

Early in her career, she was employed by Sperling Tobacco and Irem Temple Country Club. She was employed by Met Life Insurance Co. in Kingston until the 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood, when she went to work for the Social Security Administration office in Wilkes-Barre. When she retired in the late 1990s, she and her son, Harold, opened the North Street Café, where she also waitressed and bartended. Customers enjoyed her conversation; she always had an interesting story to tell. She loved her family, children, dogs and cats. Josephine was a great mother and very giving person.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Harold Sr.; sisters Theresa Williams, Alice Lewicki and Lillian Austra; and brothers Charles Austra, Joseph Austra and Ellick Austra.

Surviving are her sons, Harold Jr. and David, both of Luzerne; granddaughter Jessica McDermott; and grandson David McDermott Jr.; sisters Olga Visco, of Florida, Ketora Hann, of Kingston, and Helen Zekas, of Wilkes-Barre; as well as many nieces and nephews. She went to Mass at St. Ann's Church, Luzerne, every week until she could not walk.

Funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday from the Betz-Jastremski Funeral Home Inc., 568 Bennett St., Luzerne, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Parish, Luzerne. Family and friends may call 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a charity of choice.