Obituary of Catherine L. Panaway

Catherine “Cathy” Louise Panaway, 51, of the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre, lost her courageous battle with cancer on Friday, May 13, 2022, while in the comforting care of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia. She donned her butterfly wings and flew to heaven. Born on October 24, 1970, in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late William and Catherine Evans Panaway. Cathy grew up in Parson and attended Calvin Elementary school. She also attended Plains Junior High and was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, class of 1988, where she was also a member of the high school marching band. She pursued a college education at the Luzerne County Community College where she graduated with a degree in culinary arts. Cathy put her skills to the test when she enjoyed an internship at Disneyworld. Cathy was employed by the Commonwealth Wilkes-Barre General Hospital for the last 30 years. She began working in the hospitality shop and worked her way into the pharmacy where she was recently the buyer of all pharmaceutical supplies. During the covid epidemic, Cathy had an important role for the hospital, leading the fight with making sure the hospital had enough supplies and medicine to help treat the sick and protect the working staff. In 2016, Cathy was diagnosed with cancer. She never let her diagnosis get to her, nor did she ever give up fighting. She would always greet you with a joyous smile and was truly happy to see others. She was a volunteer for the Relay for Life, an active member of the Parsons Welsh Baptist Church where she volunteered as a church deacon, teacher at the Sunday school, a leader of the youth group, and choir member. Cathy loved to travel to her special places of Disney and going on cruises with her family. She enjoyed working on diamond art and loved elephants and butterflies. The Panaway family would like to thank Doctor Angela Jain, of Fox Chase, and her staff for the unbelievable care, compassion and support Cathy received through her diagnosis, and her final days in their care. Cathy was preceded in death by her father William, Oct. 2, 2014; and her brother David Sept 3.,2001. She is survived by her loving mother Catherine, Parsons; brother William (Bill) and his wife Joyce, Plains; sister Beth Ann Panaway and her life partner Robert Kapp, Parsons; Cathy’s companion Donald Jones, Wilkes-Barre; God mother Debra Balla, Nanticoke; and her great friend Amanda Hunter, Wilkes-Barre, along with nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 17,2022, from Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., 55 Stark St., Plains Township, with the Rev. Wayne Nichol officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for Cathy may be given to the Fox Chase Cancer Center,333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111.