Mary Defina Obituary

Mary Johnston Defina, 92, passed away at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital on Wednesday, 13 December 2006 following a brief illness.
Born in Wilkes-Barre Township to Thomas and Bella (McCague) Johnston, she resided at her home in Forty Fort for the past forty years.
Mary graduated from St. Ann’s Academy, Wilkes-Barre in 1932 and earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from College Misericordia, Dallas in 1936.
After graduation, she taught elementary school in Wilkes-Barre Township for several years. Thereafter, she was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. She commenced her position as a Case Worker and advanced to the position of Supervisor. Mary was selected as the first Executive Director of the United Services Agency in Luzerne County by the Department of Welfare. She was the first woman to hold that position and retired in 1978 after forty-two years of service.
Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband Dominic M. DeFina, brothers, Thomas, Edward and Harold Johnston.
Surviving is her brother Attorney Ralph Johnston, Sr. and his wife Carol. She is also survived by her nephews, Attorney Ralph J. Johnston, Jr. and his wife Beverly Jean of Kingston, James Johnston and Thomas Johnston of Wyoming, niece Judith Johnston of Wyoming. She is also survived by her nephews: Robert Johnston, son of Edward of Wyoming, Robert Mariano and his wife Norma of Florida; and nieces: Rosemary and her husband Myron Erdossy of Kingston, NY and Carol and her husband Joseph Steigler of California.
After the loss of her husband Dominic, Mary continued an active social life and enjoyed her many friends, especially her dearest and most loyal friend Ann Hanahue of Kingston.
Mary enjoyed a long and healthy life spending her holidays and many special occasions with her brother Ralph, his wife Carol and their family. Her love, support and friendship will always be cherished and remembered.
Mary’s family is especially thankful for the special care and compassion given to her during her illness by nurse, Cathy Lane and caretakers, Wendy Minier, Amanda Franklin and Melissa Matosky. The family is also deeply grateful to Dr. William Boyle for taking wonderful care of Mary over the years.
Funeral will be held Saturday at 8 AM from M.J. McLaughlin Company, 416 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston with Funeral Mass at 8:30 AM in St. Ignatius Church.
Friends may call Friday, 15 December 2006 from 4 to 8 PM.
Memorial contributions may be sent in Mary’s memory to College Misericordia, St. Ignatius Parish or the charity of the donors choice.