Obituary of Helen Panatieri

Helen Panatieri, 96, formerly of the Keystone section of Plains Township, was passed into the hands of the Lord on Thursday, November 10,2016. Born on February 18,1920, she was a daughter to the late Anthony and Apolonia Kowalski. She was born and raised in the Bald Mountain section of Bear Creek. She was educated in a one-room school house located in Bear Creek. Helen was employed as a cook for most of her life. She was employed at the Lowes Restaurant, on West Market Street, Wilkes-Barre for twenty years. She was also the night cook at the Midway Drive-In , located in Keystone. Helen’s hobbies were canning food for her family and gardening. She would love to take small trips , especially to the different casinos, with Pauline Stella, Josephine Mancia, and her son Sylvester. When at home, Helen enjoyed cooking for her family and friends, and also enjoyed spending time caring and raising her grandchildren. Helen was a charter member and current member of the St. Maria Goretti Parish, Laflin. Helen was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-one years the late Silvio; son Robert; brothers Stanley Kowalski and William Kowalski, sisters Lottie Baker, Florence Drazney, and Stella Feschak. Surviving Helen are her daughter Barbara Antinovitch, Laflin; sons Sylvester,Wilkes-Barre, and Alfred with his wife Donna, Plains; daughter-in-law Betty Panatieri;sister-in-law Mary “Tickey” Panatieri, Connecticut; grandchildren Joseph Antinovich and his wife Virginia, New Jersey; Robert Panatieri Jr, Tennessee; and Thomas Panatieri, Plains; great-grandchildren Jack and Elizabeth Antinovitch, New Jersey; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mrs. Panatieri’s funeral service will be held on Monday, November 14, 2016, at 10:00am from the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc, 55 Stark Street, Plains, Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am in the St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin, with Rev. James J. Walsh, pastor. Interment is private and will be held at the convenience of the family. Friends and family may call at the funeral home on Sunday evening from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The family would like to thank the Helpmates Home Health Care Agency for the comfort and care they provided for our mom. Because of their service, mom was able to remain in her own home for many years. The family would also like to give a special thank you to Larraine who was her aide and caregiver for over ten years. Also, we would like to thank all the staff at the River Street Manor Nursing Home who comforted her and our family in her final months. For sending condolences and directions to services, please go to www.yanaitisfuneralhome.com.