Marie Jean Sowa, a lifelong resident of Nanticoke, passed away on March 6, 2025.

She was born on November 7, 1928, to James Thomas and Amelia (Suwalski) Thomas.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Nancy Thomas.

Marie graduated from Nanticoke High School in 1946 and College Misericordia, earning

her BS in Nursing Education in 1951.

She married the love of her life, Walter Sowa, in 1952 and is survived by him and their

three children, Christopher (Nancy), Dr. Michael, and Rebecca (Denis) Bartuska and

seven grandchildren – Andrew and Peter Sowa, Christine (Jack) Lepird, Eric Sowa and

Katherine, Elizabeth and Abigail Bartuska. Marie is also survived by two great

granddaughters, Diane and Ella Lepird.

After raising her children, Marie continued her nursing career at Nanticoke State

General Hospital, then for 16 years as a school nurse in the GNA School District, prior

to retiring in 1990.

She was a member of St. Faustina Parish, the Pennsylvania Association of Retired

School Employees and the women’s golf league at Morgan Hills Golf Course. In

addition, she participated in the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study for over 35 years.

Marie and her family spent summers at their vacation home at North Lake (Sweet

Valley, PA) for over 50 years. She specialized in hosting extended family gatherings

and making everyone, especially grandchildren, welcome as well as nightly card games

with friends and neighbors.

She could also start up a conversation with just about anyone, anywhere and at any

time, providing sufficient embarrassment to her children when they were younger, but

serving as an inspiration to them as adults.

Marie greatly appreciated the love and support from her caregivers Carol, June, and

Josie.

Visitation hours will be Wednesday, March 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dinelli Family Funeral Home, 170 E. Broad Street, Nanticoke.

Services will begin Thursday, March 13th at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Faustina Kowalska Parish, 520 S. Hanover Street, Nanticoke.

Private interment will be in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery, Nanticoke.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Sowa’s memory can be made to St. Jude’s Cancer Research

Hospital.