Obituary of Barbara Marie Antinovitch

Barbara Marie Antinovitch, 81, of Laflin, passed into heaven on Monday, June 12, 2023, while in the care of the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Twp. Her loving son Joseph and her brother Al were by her side as she entered heaven. Born in Wilkes-Barre on March 20,1942, she was a daughter of the late Sylvio and Helen Kowalski Panatieri. Barbara grew up in the Keystone area and attended local Plains Township schools and was a graduate of the Plains Memorial High School, class of 1961. During her high school years Barbara and her brothers worked for the Midway Drive-In, Laflin, at the concession stand from spring through fall. After graduation, Barbara began working for Claire Light Lamp Factory as an assembler. At the age of 22, she met and fell in love with Joseph Antinovitch and shortly later they were married. The new couple moved to Laflin after their family home was finished being built. Barbara started working for the H&M Dress Factory as the supervisor of operations until she and Joseph were expecting a baby son who they named Joseph. As their son Joseph grew up and started school, Barbara began working for the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital as a kitchen staff member for the next 7 years. Barbara then found employment with Bon-Ton as a sales associate for the next thirty-three years until her retirement. Barbara was an active member in the Saint Maria Goretti’s Parish, Laflin. She also enjoyed her hobbies of gardening and going fishing with her son Joseph. On occasion they went up to Canada to go fishing. Most of all she was a proud mother and grandmother and deeply enjoyed every moment with her family. Barbara is preceded in passing by her parents Sylvio and Helen; husband Joseph, 2007; brothers Robert and Sylvester Panatieri. Surviving are her son Joseph and his wife Virginia, Lumberton, NJ; grandchildren Jack and Elizabeth, Lumberton, NJ; brother Al Panatieri and his wife Donna, Plains; sister- in- law Betty Panatieri, Kingsport, TN; nephew Thomas Panatieri and his wife Sarah; Jessup; and nephew Robert Panatieri Jr., Kingsport, TN. Friends and family are invited to a visitation to be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., 55 Stark Street, Plains. Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin. Mass will be officiated by Rev. Alex Roche. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Barbara’s memory may be given to the American Cancer Society, at www.donate.cancer.org.