Obituaries

Sophie “Pat” (Pacewicz) Gula, age 94, a longtime West Scranton resident, passed away Wednesday morning at Forest City Nursing Home, after a recent illness. She was preceded in death on January 16, 1991 by her beloved husband, George Gula.
A Throop native, Sophie was born on October 6, 1927. Daughter of the late John and Sophie (Levitski) Pacewicz, she was educated in Throop schools before beginning work at a young age. Upon marriage and raising her children, she became a staple of the Lincoln-Jackson School cafeteria for years, prior to the school’s closure. She was then employed by Meals on Wheels in their Soup & Sandwich Shop, Scranton.
Sophie was always on the go. She had an amazing work ethic, evident by her working into her 80’s. An adoring grandma, she was also the ultimate babysitter for her grandchildren. She was a longtime member of St. John’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Scranton.

Those closest to Sophie called her Mom, Gram, Grandma Pat, and Mema. Our fondest memories revolve around her home. She always had a meal prepared with love and always said “if you leave hungry it’s your own damn fault”�. She was known for making cabbage rolls and vegetable soup, and was the best sandwich maker ever. She would call everyone to let us know the soup was still warm in a pot on the stove. She enjoyed taking the time to teach us these recipes even though we knew we would never make them as good as she did. Major holidays were always spent at her house where she would prepare a large meal and enjoy everyone’s company. She always made a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner and had homemade press cookies with cherries in the middle for dessert. Of course Gram enjoyed her coffee after every meal. A few of us learned to make it just the way she loved it, one sweet n low and just enough canned cream to make it the perfect shade of caramel. There were many great times spent in her backyard from the annual Easter egg hunt to spending Saturday afternoons tossing around a football or just sitting on the swing underneath the grapevine.

She is survived by her loving family; children, Greg Gula and wife Michelle of Forest City and Lynn Farnham and husband Daniel of Dalton; six grandchildren, Sara Coleman, Krysten Meehan and husband Brian, Scott Coleman, Brian Gula and wife Sarah, Jessie Ferrise and husband Mario and Shannon Gula; two step granddaughters, Rachelle and Elizabeth Heller; six great grandchildren, Connor, Isabelle and Emma Gula, Reagan and Benson Ferrise and Lucas Meehan; her former daughter-in-law, Carlene Gula; and many nieces and nephews.
The last remaining of five Pacewicz siblings, Sophie was preceded in death by brothers, Edward “Stretch” and John Pacewicz and sisters, Stephanie Stracham and Helen “Pat” Jacobson.
Her family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Forest City Nursing Home for their care, kindness and compassion throughout Sophie’s stay.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 9:00 AM with panachida from the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton, with a 10:00 Funeral Liturgy at St. Mary’s Byzantine Church, Scranton, to be celebrated by Rev. Leonard Martin, S.J., Pastor. Burial will be in St. John’s Byzantine Cemetery.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Tuesday between 4-7:00 PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Sophie’s name to Meals on Wheels of NEPA, 541 Wyoming Ave Scranton PA 18509.