Obituaries

Bertha Brygider, 100, of Old Forge, passed away Friday morning at Geisinger’s Mountain View Care Center in Scranton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore “Miller” Brygider, on May 30, 1967.
Born in Scranton on April 6, 1916, daughter of the late Konstantine and Natalie Kotarski Golembeski, Bertha was educated in Scranton Schools. Prior to raising her family, she worked at the former Brook Manufacturing in Scranton, where she met her future husband. Of Roman Catholic faith, she was a faithful member of St. Stanislaus Chuch and later St. Lawrence O’Toole Church in Old Forge.
Know as Bridgy by her family in her youth, and then Grandma Bert to her loving grandchildren and great grandchildren, Bertha was an inspiration to all.
Well into her 90’s, Bertha was both independent and active. She was often found working in her garden and loved no team more that the Phillies. She was a talented seamstress who enjoyed sharing her talents with others.
Bertha adored her family, who valued her advice and wisdom. She was a devoted grandmother to two loving grandchildren and four adoring great grandchildren. She took great joy in all of their activities. She will be truly missed.
She is survived by her devoted daughter, Patricia Callahan and husband Walter of Taylor; her brother, Joseph Golembeski of Old Forge; her grandchildren, Pamela Walko and husband Patrick of Clarks Summit and Brian Callahan and wife Lisa of Malvern; four great grandchildren, Maggie Rose and Nicholas Miller Walko and Harper Elizabeth and Emily Grace Callahan; nephew, Mark Polizzi and wife Ann of Inkerman; niece Lori Chromey and husband Dave of Old Forge; nephew Joseph Golembeski of Old Forge; grandnieces and grandnephews.
Brothers, Walter and Edward Golembeski and a sister, Loretta Polizzi, also preceded her in death.
Her family wishes to thank the entire staff of Mountain View Care Center along with Dr. Darlene Dunay, for their excellent care and compassion.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 9:15AM from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge, with a 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, 608 South Main Street in Old Forge, to be celebrated by Rev. August A. Ricciardi, Pastor. Interment will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Old Forge. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Tuesday between 4-7:00PM at the funeral home.