Obituaries

Linda (Saita) Coolbaugh, a longtime Moosic resident, passed away Thursday at Regional Hospital of Scranton surrounded by her loving family. She was 69 years young.

On November 5, 1983, she married her best friend and husband of 40 years, Gerald “Jerry” Coolbaugh, who survives.

Born in Scranton on January 16, 1955 and daughter of the late Francis who died in Linda’s childhood, and Clara (Black) Saita, Linda was a graduate of the former Scranton Technical High School’s Class of 1972 and graduated first in her commercial class. She worked as an insurance claims adjuster before working for Peoples Security and PNC Banks in the loan and proof department for over three decades prior to her well-deserved retirement. All the while, she raised her two adored children.

Linda will forever be remembered in countless ways. She never passed up a trip to the Mohegan Sun Casino, loved her Turner Classic movies, adored her pups Lexy and Oscar who are now reunited with her in heaven, was an absolute computer wiz and always enjoyed a good computer game. From her daily phone calls with her sisters to her volunteering days at the former St. Mary’s School in Avoca to her generosity and thoughtfulness to all of her loved ones, her selflessness was always admirable.

Above all else in her life came her family. She was a loyal wife, loving mother and adoring grandma who always ensured her family came first. She was the backbone to her family and could be counted on no matter what.

Along with Jerry, she is also survived by her children, Gerald Coolbaugh, II and wife Leandra Nasser of Dunmore and Maria Kowalsky and husband Robert of West Jefferson, Nc.; her three grandchildren who were the apples of her eye, Ella and Jerry Coolbaugh and Beau Kowalsky; her sisters, Marion Saita and companion Peter Cerstvik of Atlantic, Va., Gloria Saita of Olyphant, Claire Leibold and husband Scott of Wyomissing and Diane Buckley and husband Frank of Jermyn; and many nieces and nephews.

Her brother, Frank Saita, also preceded her in death.

Her family would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Anjalika Gupta and her staff for the amazing care provided to both Linda and her family. They also would like to thank Kevin Kearney and the staff at Thomas P. Kearney Funeral home for their unwavering support, sympathy, and dedication to making Linda’s services everything she could have wanted.

Blessing services are scheduled for 1:00 PM on Thursday at the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge. Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday from 11:00 AM until services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Linda’s name to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter c/o 967 Griffin Pond Rd, South Abington Township, PA 18411.