Katheleen Coveleskie Onacko

NANTICOKE — Katheleen Coveleskie Onacko, age 82, of Nanticoke, and beloved mother of Rachel, passed away peacefully holding her daughter's hand on Sunday, March 26, 2023, after being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia seven years ago.

Born on Aug. 24, 1940, in Wilkes Barre, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Collies) Coveleskie. Katheleen graduated from Wilkes Barre Township High School. She worked at Prudential Insurance Company as part of the clerical staff.

Katheleen was a prayerful and devout Catholic. She had such a devotion to our Blessed Mother and prayed her rosary daily. Katheleen was a woman who lived and practiced her faith, leading a life of humility, kindness and compassion. She cared for husband, Eugene, for 15 years before he passed in December of 2018. Katheleen lived her life for her children, always encouraging their talents and pursuits. Whether supporting the musician on weekends or standing on a ladder creating a three dimensional paper rain forest, Katheleen always gave of her time, talents and self. Katheleen enjoyed gardening and baking. She was a beautiful seamstress who never left a piece of fabric folded for long. She had impeccable taste, and never saw herself coming and going in the outfits she made. Katheleen loved decorating and creating centerpieces and wreaths. Her little touches truly made the house a home for her family. The holidays were always a special time and as matriarch, Katheleen would prepare the traditional Polish foods for Christmas and Easter that her beloved family enjoyed. Easter was a time for her own mother's onion skin hard boiled eggs. The tradition will continue, and a pot of Grandma's eggs will boil on the stove this Easter.

In addition to her parents, Katheleen was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Eugene Onacko; brothers: Joseph, Walter, Carl and Ronald Coveleskie; sisters: Florence Coyle, Marie Henderson and Geraldine Johns. Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Stella Fiorucci; brother, Richard Coveleskie; and daughter, Rachel Onacko; as well as several nieces and nephews, including her godson, Daniel Johns.

Katheleen's daughter would like to thank family friend, Juliet Howells, for her care and friendship, as well as Katheleen's dearest friend for over sixty years, Zora Narkoff for her love and support shown.

Katheleen always told her daughter stories about her brothers and sisters and growing up in Laurel Run. Those were happy times for her. Memories she looked back on in fondness. In keeping with her wishes, Katheleen will return to Laurel Run once more.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial Mass to be held on Tuesday, April 4, at 10 a.m. at the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, 420 Main Rd., Hanover Township, with Rev. Richard Cirba officiating. Private interment will be held at the convenience of the family.

Katheleen's daughter respectfully requests that those coming to the Mass to please practice social distancing due to the continued prevalence of COVID-19.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Katheleen's memory to the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 E. Main Street, Wilkes Barre, Pa. 18702.

"He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God." Aeschylus.

Funeral arrangements are by the George A Strish, Inc. Funeral Home, 105 North Main St., Ashley.