Obituaries

Stella (Sompel) Saranchuk, a longtime resident of Moosic’s Greenwood section, passed away peacefully Friday morning at home surrounded by her loving family, after a recent illness. Certainly living her life to the fullest, she was 89 years young.
On August 13, 2013, she was preceded in death by the love of her life and husband of 61 years, Daniel W. Saranchuk.
Stella (Stacia) was born in Scranton on November 7, 1933, daughter of the late John and Felia (Zaleski) Sompel. A graduate of the former Moosic High School, she began a career in health care spanning decades. While beginning to raise a family, she would move to New Jersey where she would also begin her nursing career.
She returned home to settle in Moosic in 1967, ultimately working as an inspector for Linens Systems Co. and then in private duty nursing until retirement.
Stella was always on the go. With Daniel as her sidekick, she traveled the globe. Some of her fondest memories came while traveling everywhere from Australia to Fiji to cross country U.S. train treks. For over two decades, she and Daniel spent their winters as true “snow birds” in the Kissimmee, Florida area. For several years, Stella and Daniel also enjoyed spending the month of May in Hawaii. Stella will be remembered for countless things. She would never turn down a trip to Mohegan Sun, she loved her BINGO and family game nights and she always enjoyed dinners out, especially for a good “fluffy” lobster, a green Apple Moscato Sangria and, of course, a banana split.
Beyond all else came her family. She raised five children of whom she was so proud and she was surely content that her legacy now lies in the hands of the four generations she leaves behind. Loved by all who knew her, Stella will never be forgotten.
She is survived by her loving family including her five children, Robert Saranchuk and wife Debbie of Thompson, Daniel Saranchuk and fiance Marie Samsak, Denise Zuzel, Melanie Buldowski and husband Robert and Michele Lokuta and husband Edward, all of Moosic; fourteen grandchildren; many great and great-great grandchildren; a brother, Ronald Sompel and wife Christine of Moosic; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Debra Saranchuk; a granddaughter, Lora Saranchuk; two great-grandchildren, Aubrey Snyder and Bentley Smith; siblings, John Sompel and Bernice Knitowski; and a son-in-law, Karl Zuzel.
Her family would like to express their gratitude to Allied Hospice for their care and compassion during Stella’s illness.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Tuesday at 9:00 AM from the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge, with a 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 125 Lackawanna Avenue in Dupont, to be celebrated by Rev. Thomas J. Petro, Pastor. Burial will follow in Abington Hills Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Monday between 4-7:00PM at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Stella’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. Please visit the funeral home’s website for directions or to leave a condolence.