Mary Ruskey, 76, of Jenkins Township, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 12, 2021 in Residential Hospice Inpatient Unit at Geisinger South, Wilkes-Barre. She and her loving and devoted husband, Thomas Ruskey, Sr. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 4, 2020.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of the late Felix and Regina Wisniewski Muroski. Mary was a graduate of Hanover High School, Class of 1962. While working for RCA in the mid-sixties, she met her husband Tom. Later, Mary worked for 16 years in the Jenkins Twp. tax office while her husband served as tax collector. Prior to retirement Mary worked for Northeast Penn Salvage Co., Jenkins Twp.. She had been a longtime volunteer for both the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and the Association of the Blind. Mary was a former member of St Mark's Church, Inkerman, where she sang in the choir and was a current member of St. Maria Goretti Church, Laflin.
She was a 21 year survivor of ovarian cancer and 7 year survivor of pancreatic cancer. Throughout her medical difficulties, she maintained a positive attitude and glowing personality. If you met Mary and spent 5 minutes talking to her, you became her friend and she would remember your name forever.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, who provided her excellent care. During her many visits and hospital stays she befriended many doctors, nurses and medical staff. She viewed the Geisinger team as her extended family and friends. She loved all of you. Her visits were many times accompanied by home baked cake and cookies. To her, a medical visit was a social event. She loved people and lit up every room she entered. Also, Dr. Michael Miller, her general practitioner, for his medical support and guidance. A special thank you to her many friends who provided support during times of difficulty.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sons, Thomas, Jr. and wife, Amy; David and wife, Anita; two granddaughters, Kiaura and Sydney; sister-in-law, Rosalie Muroski; niece, Terri Muroski Roberson.
She was preceded in death by brother, Michael Muroski and uncle, Benny Muroski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 A.M. on Tuesday, in St. Maria Goretti Church, 42 Redwood Drive., Laflin, to be celebrated by Fr. Seth Wasnock, Pastor. Everyone attending the mass is asked to go directly to the church on Tuesday morning.
Interment will be in St. Mary's Nativity Cemetery, Plymouth Twp..
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Baloga Funeral Home, Inc. 1201 Main Street, Pittston (Port Griffith).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center or Candy's Place, cancer support organization for cancer patients.
Area Lodging 
