Viola Augustine Rubbico

PLAINS TWP. — Viola Augustine Rubbico, 96, of the Hudson section of Plains Township, walked through heaven's gate to be greeted by her Lord and Savior, leaving her loving family, who surrounded her at the Residential Hospice Unit of Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019.

Born in the Keystone section of Plains Township on Aug. 11, 1922, she was one of seven children of the late Nazzareno and Assunta Minichelli Augustine. At a young age, Viola attended local schools and was a graduate of the Plains Memorial High School, Class of 1940.

Shortly after graduation, Viola began working in the local garment industry of Plains Township. She worked for Gort's, Fifi Frock and Homer Garment Factories as a seamstress over her 35 years of employment. Through this time, she was a proud member of the International Garment Workers Union.

During these years, Viola married Gerald Rubbico, and together they had their three children: Gerald Jr., Anita and David. Gerald Sr. passed April 15, 1991.

Viola was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. If you knew Viola, you felt as if she was your grandmother, she loved everyone and would speak the honest truth.

Throughout the years, Viola was a very active woman. She was very involved in the local Democratic party; the Red Hat Society ("Ladies with Hattitude"); the Plains Senior Citizens; a past member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers of St. Joseph's Church; a past member of St. Joseph Church until its closure; and a current member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Plains Township. She was also very involved with her 1940 classmates with reunions and social meetings at the casino once a month.

Viola enjoyed cooking, playing cards, traveling with her family to Italy and Hawaii, having family reunions or having her special Tuesday gathering with her nieces and daughter.

Viola's best advice was "the ball is round," meaning treat everyone with kindness and that kindness would return to you or karma would step in.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gerald; sisters Mary Answini, Vera Godula and Lena Segeda; and brothers Joseph, Victor, and Dominick Augustine.

Surviving are her children, sons Gerald and David Rubbico, both of Plains Township; daughter Anita Rubbico, of Plains Township; grandchildren: Edward Koulik Jr., Ann Osmanski (Rob), David Rubbico Jr. and Douglas Rubbico, of Plains Township, and Jillian Rubbico, of Hoboken, N.J.; great-grandchildren: Milea Osmanski, Ethan Osmanski, Griffin Osmanski, Vienna Koulik, Edward Koulik III, Beau Koulik, Isabella Koulik and David James (DJ) Rubbico.

Family and friends are invited to Viola's visitations 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, and 6 until 8 p.m. at the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., 55 Stark St., Plains Township. Funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 25, from the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 13 Hudson Rd., Plains Township, officiated by the Rev. John C. Lambert, pastor. Interment will be held in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville, following Mass.

Over the last few weeks, Viola had received excellent care and was kept comfortable. We would like to thank Dr. Charles Manganiello, Dr. Jeffrey Dandrea and Dr. Michalene Torbik for their compassionate care of Viola.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be given to the Sts. Peter and Paul Food Pantry, 13 Hudson Rd., Plains Township, PA 18705.