Obituaries

Barbara J. Demkowich, R.N., age 81, a guest of Lackawanna County Health Care Center in Olyphant and formerly of the Tripps Park section of West Scranton, died Thursday, after an illness. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 44 years, Anthony (Andrew) Demkowich, on October 15, 2003.
Born in Nanticoke on November 14, 1936, and daughter of the late Frank and Josephine Marcinko Shaulis, she was a graduate of Nanticoke High School. She began a lifelong career as a Registered Nurse after graduating from the former Scranton State School of Nursing. She would go on to earn her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Scranton after receiving the prestigious Wells-Memorial Scholarship. After working in upstate New York, she returned to the area by starting the first cardiac catheterization laboratory at Scranton State Hospital. She ultimately retired as a Nursing Supervisor for the Clarks Summit State Hospital.
Of Roman Catholic faith, she was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Church in West Scranton. Passing away peacefully, she will forever be loved by her family and friends.
She is survived by her son, Anthony (Andy) Demkowich, II, and wife Laurie of Scranton; her siblings, Frank Shaulis and wife Diane of Nanticoke and Jane DelBalso and husband Daniel of Jenkins Twp.; her aunt, Mary Marcinko of Nanticoke; her four grandchildren, Andrew, Seth, Sr., Aidan and Anthony Demkowich, III; her great grandson, Seth Demkowich, Jr.; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 10:45AM from the Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton, with an 11:30AM Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, 1403 Jackson Street in West Scranton, to be celebrated by Rev. Richard Fox, Pastor. Burial will follow at Cathedral Cemetery. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Wednesday between 9:30AM and 10:45AM at the funeral home.