Arlene Gritsko Obituary

Arlene Ann Gritsko, 89, of Nanticoke, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at the home of her daughter in Mountain Top, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Nanticoke on Oct. 23, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Stacia Sarwinski Miklaszewicz. Arlene was a graduate of Nanticoke Area High School, Class of 1953, the Wyoming Valley Hospital School of Nursing and King's College, Wilkes-Barre. She was employed as a registered nurse at NYU Hospital in New York City, St. Christophers Children's Hospital in Philadelphia in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Department and in the Obstetrics department at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes Bare, and lastly, as patient advocate for the Geisinger Health System, until her retirement.

She was a woman of strong faith, who was a dedicated member of St. Faustina Parish, Nanticoke. Arlene's many hobbies included spoiling her grandchildren, sewing, canning, solving word puzzles and watching Villanova basketball, and "her Patrick," Patrick Mahomes. She was the Alpha Momma Bear who loved her family deeply and hosted many memorable family gatherings at her home.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward J. Gritsko Jr; her awesome grandson, Matthew Edward Wascavage; and her brother, Leonard A. Michaels.

Surviving are her loving daughter, Patti Wascavage and her husband, George of Mountain Top; son, Michael J. Gritsko, Philadelphia; grandsons, Michael Edward Gritsko and Kevin Michael Wascavage; great-grandson, Augustus Mark Gritsko; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m. Saturday from George A. Strish Inc. Funeral Home, 105 N. Main St., Ashley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. in St. Faustina Parish, Nanticoke, with the Rev. Brian VanFossen officiating the Mass. Interment will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Newport Township.

Family and friends may call from 9:15 a.m. to service time.