Theresa Petula

Theresa Petula, 65, of Factoryville, died Friday at home. She was the wife and lifelong love of Dr. Girard Petula. Jerry and Theresa recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.

Born in Scranton on May 14, 1944, daughter of the late Jacob and Mary Banick, she was a graduate of Scranton Technical High School, class of 1962. She and her husband met at the Scranton Dream Game in 1959 and remained together for more than 50 years. She will be remembered forever by her family and friends as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Theresa supported her children's and grandchildren's activities and took pride as a Girl Scout leader, committee membership in Boy Scouts, friends of music and athletic booster club organizations. She served her community for many years as the judge of elections. Theresa was a member of Our Lady of the Abingtons Church, Dalton.

Before her illness, she was employed at Willowbrook Assisted Living Center, Clarks Summit, and was well known for her caring and compassionate service to her clients.

The family would like to thank everyone for the cards, prayers and calls of support during Theresa's brave and long battle against cancer. A special note of appreciation is extended to the generous employees of Willowbrook who donated their sick and vacation time to Theresa and to Theresa's nurses from Mercy Hospice for their compassionate care.

Surviving are four children, attorney Brian Petula, Factoryville; Linda Ross and husband, Mark, Clarks Summit; Dr. Jason Petula and wife, Patricia, Clarks Summit; and Nathan Petula and wife Deanna, Mount Holly Springs; four sisters, Lillian and Lucille Banick, Marianne Schaefferkoetter, Scranton; and June Kruty, Boonton, N.J.; nine grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins.

She also was preceded in death by a brother, Paul.

Relatives and friends may call Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., with a blessing to follow by the Monsignor Thomas V. Banick, cousin of Theresa, at 8 in the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit. A celebration of Theresa's life and memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, South Abington Twp., PA 18411; American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; and Countryside Conservancy, P.O. Box 55, La Plume, PA 18440. Online condolences may be sent to www. lawrenceeyoungfuneral home.com.