Marie E. Bozentka

Marie E. Bozentka

     It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, and grandmother, Marie E. Bozentka, who left us peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

     Marie was born on August 18, 1933, to parents, Elizabeth and Edward Rakowski.

     She is predeceased by her true love, Michael (Buzzy) Bozentka. Their story started when Michael took Marie’s hand to admire her wristwatch, and the rest is history – and what a beautiful history it was.

     Marie graduated from Wilkes-Barre Township High School and throughout her life, honed her cooking and gardening skills with various classes. One of her proudest achievements was receiving a Home and Food Preservation Certification from Penn State.

     She was a devout member of St. Mary’s of the Maternity Church (Our Lady of Hope) and their Christian Mother’s Association where she served as president several times. One of her favorite activities as a Christian Mother, was making homemade chicken soup for the homeless. 

     Marie is survived by a large, loving, and loud Polish family: daughter, Regina Bozentka (Forty-Fort); son, Robert Bozentka and partner, Rebecca Corby (Trucksville); daughter, Marci and Ross Wayman (Mountain Top); son, Michael Bozentka (Wilkes-Barre); son, Thaddeus Bozentka (Wilkes-Barre); and daughter, Tracy Bozentka and partner, Carl Ozehoski (New York City ).

      She was Bobchi to 10 grandchildren: Tara (Adam), Ross (Cassie), Adam (Andrea), Jaime, Sarah (Dave), Jacob, Krzysztof (Catherine), Anah (Mitchell) Mykolas, Raymond and 5 great-grandchildren: Juliana, Temperence, RJ, Lilly, and Sophia. She is also survived by sisters, Theresa and Helen, and dear cousin, Peggy. In addition, Marie had a wealth of extended family members and friends for whom she cared deeply.

     Marie was organic before her time and her incredible culinary creations were the center of our family and our traditions. Her passion for cooking came only second to her passion for her family. She was a true matriarch – providing advice, comfort, love, and SO MUCH LAUGHTER.

     Mom, we love you and hope your heaven is a farm filled with lush, green pastures, abundant harvests, and, of course, your chickens. 

     A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, October 5th 11:00am at our Lady of Hope Parish (40 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre). Friends may call prior to the mass starting at 10:00am.



Comments:

Joseph E. Brazinski

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • April 21, 2025
Joseph Edmund Brazinski, 73, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away April 19, 2025, at Third Avenue Health Care, Kingston. Born March 24, 1952, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Edmund and Josephine Starek Brazinski. Joseph was 1970 graduate of Marymount High School, Wilkes-Barre. Prior to retirement in 2011, he was employed by the Department of Environmental Protection on abandoned mine reclamation projects. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Theresa Cywinski in 2017. Surviving is his daughter, Miranda Brazinski; and nephews, Ryan and Scott Cywinski. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family by the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.

Frederick Holtzman

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • April 14, 2025
Fred Holtzman, 86 of Trucksville, PA, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, at his home under the care of Allied Services Hospice. Born November 4, 1938, in Trucksville, he was the son of the late Jacob and Helen Czapla Holtzman. Fred was a 1956 graduate of Westmoreland High School. He was employed as a sheet metal worker with the Local #44 for over 50 years. Fred enjoyed attending car shows and working in his yard. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Frances Holtzman on March 26, 2025; brothers, Ernest Holtzman and Arthur Holtzman; and sisters, Arline Climach, Ruth Murphy, Lucy Gougas, Lotty Hitchcock, and Betty Harbaugh. Surviving is his daughters, Donna Dymond of Swoyersville, and Linda Billings and her husband, Jon of Mehoopany; son, Mark Holtzman of Trucksville; grandchildren, Sarah Billings of Lehman, PA, Jamie Billings of Mehoopany, and Stacy Dymond of South Carolina; 3 great grandchildren; his sister, Naome Brunges of Palm Bay, FL; sister-in-law, Michaelene Lavin and her husband, Francis of Wilkes-Barre; and many nieces and nephews. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family by the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre.

Rosemary D. Wisnewski

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • April 9, 2025
Rosemary D. Wisnewski, of Swoyersville, passed away Monday, April 7, 2025, at The Meadows Nursing Center, Dallas. Born December 17, 1937, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Oscar and Mary Raub Graboske. Rosemary was a 1955 graduate of Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre. She will be remembered for her dedication and service as a Counselor at the Domestic Violence Service Center for over 40 years. A devoted Catholic, Rosemary was a member of Holy Family Parish, Luzerne. She enjoyed watching football and was an avid Philadelphia Eagle's fan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick on May 3, 2010, and her sister, Arlene Lyons. Surviving sis her daughters, Laura Luise of Kingston, Patricia Sprague and her husband, George of Shavertown, and Paula Wisnewski of Swoyersville; grandchildren, George Sprague Jr., Trisha Sprague, and Vincent Luise; and great grandchildren, Vincent Luise Jr., Cole and Sage Vernon. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 14th, at 11:00am at the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre. Private interment will be in St. John's Cemetery, Dallas. Friends may call Monday morning from 10:00am until the time of services. Rosemary's family would like to thank Dr. Patrick Kilduff and the nurse and staff at The Meadows for their care and compassion.