“A part of us has departed with you.” The world lost a beloved wife, mother, and friend, Joann Grace Pavlico Sulima, 75, of Jenkins Township, on Friday, November 25, 2022. Joann passed on at home, surrounded by her loving and devoted husband and daughter. She and her husband, Jerry Sulima, celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary on June 12, 2022.

Born in Pittston, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine Goretski Pavlico. She was a graduate of Pittston High School, Class of 1964, and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital School of Nursing at Wilkes College. For many years, Joann was employed by Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, where she worked as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. She always enjoyed over the years meeting up with the families she had met and the children she helped deliver.

She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church, Pittston.

Affectionately known as Jo and JoJo, she was the rock of her family. The bond between “the Triangle” – Joann, Jerry, and Melissa “Missy” was ever so strong as was the bonds between Joann and Jerry, and Joann and Melissa. With the love and support of each other, there was nothing they could not accomplish together. She was a blessing to the many lives she touched and made friends along the way in doing so. Many of the condolences offered to her family described Joann as kind, sweet, amazing, wonderful, and special – a true testament to the lives that she touched and the difference that she made in her community and in the hearts of others.

Joann loved her family and loved spending time with Jerry and Melissa. She enjoyed daily trips to Dunkin for coffee and donuts, or going out for breakfast with Jerry, and many adventures that Jerry did not know about with her best friend, sidekick, and partner in crime, Melissa. She had a knack for decorating her Christmas tree each year. The tree was placed perfectly in front of her bay window, while lack of coordination of the color changing lights frustrated her. Joann took days carefully unwrapping her vast collection of mostly Snoopy ornaments and placing them just right on the tree. She also enjoyed having lunch with friends. Joann always looked forward to vacationing at Wildwood Crest, where a good day consisted of rising before the sun to sit on the balcony to watch the sun rise over the ocean, the beach, a boardwalk ride on the tram car, Mack’s Pizza, and Kohr’s Brothers frozen custard. She loved taking trips to New York City to see Broadway shows and the sights and sounds of the City. She was a music lover of all genres, most recently sharing her daughter’s love of The Dave Matthews Band. Joann was an avid and devoted Phillies fan, even when they lost more than they won, tuning in to every televised game. She was also the lone Phillies fan in a house divided full of Yankees fans. Some of her other favorite things included purse bingos with Melissa (even though she never won), ice cream, especially hot fudge sundaes from Blue Ribbon Dairy, and her beloved pets. Her dislikes included the dreaded taking out the garbage night, doing multiple loads of laundry, to which she insisted more people lived in the home than really did based upon the amount of laundry and the dish fairy never showed up for work.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her husband, Jerry, and with her daughter, Melissa, shopping and having many girls’ days. Joann was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind nothing but beautiful memories.

A devout Catholic, Joann was deeply religious and prayed often. She also enjoyed working sudoku puzzles and crocheting. Joann spent many years planting flowers in her yard for which she could have won prizes. Her neighbors loved enjoying the vibrant colors of her flowers and the beautiful butterflies and dragonflies that her flowers attracted. She made several what could have been prize winning dishes and desserts. Her heart was full when she brought joy to others.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Residential Hospice, Moosic for the kind and compassionate care given to Joann and her family during her final months.

In addition to her husband, Joann is survived by her daughter, Attorney Melissa Sulima, Jenkins Township and fiancé, Rob Mirabelli, Duryea; sister, Elizabeth Masters and husband, Garry, Sweet Valley; brother-in-law, Walter “Buzzy” Sulima, Avoca; sisters-in-law, Carol Sulima, Northampton, Theresa Sulima, Hughestown, and Cathy Sulima, Wyoming; nieces, nephews, and many friends. She is also survived by two special little people, Mackenzie and Everett Lermitte, with whom she shared 7 years of her life, and whom are the children of Nick and Attorney Nicole Lermitte, Dallas.

Along with her parents, Joann is also preceded in death by brothers-in-law, Joseph and James Sulima.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 9:30 A.M. in St. John The Evangelist Church, 35 William Street, Pittston. Everyone attending the Mass is asked to go directly to the Church on Friday morning. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects during a celebration of Joann's life on Thursday, December 1, 2022, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Baloga Funeral Home, Inc., 1201 Main Street, Pittston, (Port Griffith) and Friday morning at the Church a half hour before the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to The Care and Concern Free Health Clinic, 35 William Street, Pittston, PA 18640; Rescue Warriors Cat Rescue, 539 Luzerne Avenue, West Pittston, PA 18643; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

It’s Me By Kelly Roper

When the sun breaks through the clouds And a warm beam shines down upon your face, It's me reaching out from Heaven to touch your cheeks And whisper, "I'm alright."

When a gentle breeze finds you and Refreshes your mind and body, It's me caressing you and reminding you, "You're alright too."