It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Mrs. Mary (Charnichko) Pukatch. Mrs. Pukatch fell asleep in the Lord early Saturday morning, November 24, peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Born September 6,1933 in Wilkes-Barre Township, she was the last surviving child of the late Michael and Martha (Dobony) Charnichko.
Mary was educated in the Wilkes-Barre Township schools, and was a life member of Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Wilkes-Barre Township. In the early 1950s, she would meet and marry her beloved husband Mr. William “Bill” Pukatch, sharing some 62 years of married life together until the time of his passing on January 21, 2015. From 1955 through 1962 Bill and Mary raised five children, settling in Kingston where they owned and operated the former Paradise Cafe, a tavern and restaurant.
This venture was the foundation for their purchase of a catering business in 1966 in the Parsons section of Wilkes-Barre. This new facility, Paradise Catering, would eventually become the well-known Golden Palace. Mary was instrumental as the administrative assistant and receptionist for the family businesses for many years.
Upon the couple’s retirement in 1986, they passed the business on to their daughter Gail and son Paul. The couple also owned and operated various other businesses including West Side Tire, Miners Mills Florist and the Flamingo Motel and Diner in West Nanticoke. Following their retirement, the couple relocated to Sugarmill Woods in Homosassa Springs, Florida in 1988.
Those who visited their home were always welcomed with open arms, smiles and tight, warm hugs. Mary is remembered as being a loving, devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to her adoring family. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
In addition to her beloved husband Bill, Mary was preceded in death by brothers; Charles, Michael (Kelly), John, George, Andrew and Nicholas and by sisters, Elizabeth (Betty), Sr. M. Anastasia, O.S.B. and Helen. Left to mourn her passing and cherish her memory are her children, Gail, Mary Ellen, Paul, Diane and Audrey. Grandchildren, Anthony, Matt, Kelly, Brian and Alexandra; Great-Grandchildren, Sean, Isaac and Anthony; Numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Funeral services with Panachida will be conducted on Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. from the Wilkes-Barre Heights location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 281 East Northampton Street, followed by the Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy at 2:00 p.m. in Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 526 Church Street, Wilkes-Barre Township. Relatives and friends may join the Pukatch family for visitation and remembrances Tuesday evening from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family next to her husband in Holy Assumption of Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Lake Street, Dallas.
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