Betty Ann Porzuczek

  • Betty Ann Porzuczek

Betty Ann Porzuczek

Betty Ann Porzuczek, age 78, of Wilkes-Barre Township, passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2022. Betty was born on Aug. 22, 1943, in Benton, Iowa, where she lived on her family farm until college. Betty was a music major at the University of Iowa where she earned her Bachelor and Master of Arts.


Betty realized her lifelong dream of pursuing music and teaching professionally upon starting her first teaching position at University of Nebraska following graduation. While teaching at University of Nebraska, she met the love of her life, Edward Porzuczek, and moved to Wilkes-Barre to get married and continue her music teaching and performing career at Misericordia University. Betty was a talented musician (piano and organ) and a dedicated, hard-working, and compassionate teacher who encouraged all her students to achieve their full creative and artistic potential. Betty was a beloved professor at Misericordia who served as a teacher, performer, accompanist, mentor, leader, friend and colleague. Betty taught and developed courses ranging from music performance to music theory to world fine arts. She touched the lives of hundreds of students throughout her career. Upon retirement from her 46-year career at Misericordia, Betty was bestowed with the honor and rank of Professor Emerita.


In addition to her role as professor, Betty had numerous musical accomplishments and awards. Her passion and dedication to the fields of music and fine arts was demonstrated through her membership and leadership roles in the Pennsylvania Music Federation, the Mozart Club, American Guild of Organists, Misericordia Chorale Society, organist and choir director at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, as well as performing as a soloist and accompanist locally and regionally. One of Betty's fondest memories of her teaching years is her annual trips to New York City to perform with her choral group at St. Patrick's Cathedral.


Aside from her love of music and arts, Betty's greatest love was her husband Edward of 53 years, her three children, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Betty will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a gentle, kind, loving and funny woman who loved to lead family singalongs and share childhood stories of growing up on her family farm with her parents and six siblings. Most of all, Betty will be remembered as a wife, mother, sister and friend who could always be counted on to be there for her loved ones' joys and sorrows, highs and lows, and successes and failures. Betty had a significant positive impact on many, many lives and will be deeply missed.


Betty is survived by her husband of 53 years, Edward Porzuczek; children MaryEllen (Mike) Mennett, Michael Porzuczek, and David Porzuczek; grandchildren Alyssa, Ariel, Makenzie, Mikayla, Madeleine and Matthew; great-grandchildren Caydence, Jonah and Levi. She is preceded in death by her parents Doris (née Anderson) and Chester Wallace.


Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 N. Meade St., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at noon in St. Nicholas Church, 226 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. Family and friends may call Monday evening at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m.

At the family's request, please consider a donation to Shriner's Hospital in Betty Porzuczek's name in lieu of flowers.

Michael J. Castrignano

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • June 8, 2025
Michael J. Castrignano, 90, of Berlin, MD, was called home to the Lord on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at home under the care of Coastal Hospice at the Lake. Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Dominick Castrignano and Marie (Lauzano) Castrignano. He graduated from St. Mary's High School, Wilkes-Barre. Michael's working history was diversified in multiple phases of the garment industry. His introduction was in garment manufacturing. He later managed the corporation, Basic Sportswear, controlling ordering, shipping, and distribution to national department stores. He was also owner and operator of retail sales outlets. He was an avid music lover and enjoyed his younger years playing saxophone with his band, "Casty and his Rythmaires". He spent the remainder of his retirement in Ocean City, MD. Michael was a member of Holy Savior Church in Ocean City, MD. He loved spending time with family and friends along with time at the beach. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann (Purcell) Castrignano, who passed away in 1981. Michael was blessed and was remarried to Rita (Koval) Castrignano for 32 years, preceding him in death in 2019, and also preceded by a stepson, Thomas Koval; a brother, Frank Castrignano; and stepgrandson, CJ Evans. Surviving is his two sons, Michael Castrignano Jr. of Ocean City, MD, and Dominic Castrignano and his wife, Gloria of New Port Richey, FL; He was a loving stepfather to Stepdaughter, Julieanne Evans and her husband, Chris of Plains Township. He was a loving grandfather of Michael Castrignano, Giovanna Castrignano, and Dominic Castrignano and four great grandchildren; Step grandchildren, Angela Petix, and Thomas and Tyler Koval; and brother, Dr. Dominic E. Castrignano. Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:30am from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am in St. Nicholas St. Mary's Parish Church, 226 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre. The Reverend Joseph Verespy, Pastor, will be Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Family and friends may call Thursday evening from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the funeral home.

Ronald J. Royek

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • June 4, 2025
Ronald Royek of Wilkes-Barre Township, passed away on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. Born November 24, 1938, Ron "The Barber" was the son of the late John and Mary Bartlomowicz Royek. He was the devoted husband of Patricia Conwell Royek. The couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this October. Ron graduated from Wilkes-Barre Township High School in 1956 and the barber school in Wilkes-Barre in 1966. From December 1961 to November 1967, he served in the United States Army and United States Army Reserves. He owned and operated his barber shop on Scott Street in the East End Section of Wilkes-Barre for 45 years. Ron was a life-long member of St. Mary's Church of the Maternity, now Our Lady of Hope Parish, and was active for many years as a Eucharistic Minister. He participated in various church functions such as the Liturgical Committee, the Holy Name Society, and Chairman of the Bazaar. In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his son, Christian, and his brother-in-law, Ronald Rydzfski. He is survived by his wife, Pat; sisters, Eloise Rydzfski and Sharon Flynn; brothers-in-law, Robert Flynn and Robert Conwell; nephews, Ronald Rydzfski, Rodney Rydzfski, and Sean Flynn; and special family friend, Seri Mountz. The funeral will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11:00am from the Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 North Meade Street, Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30am at Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre. The Reverend John S. Terry, Pastor, will be Celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Maternity Cemetery, West Wyoming. Friends may call Friday from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the funeral home. Ron's family would like to thank the entire staff at the PCU and ICU units of Geisinger Wyoming Valley for the outstanding care he received.

Florence C. Williams

By Joseph Jendrzejewski • May 20, 2025
Florence C. Williams, formerly of Seminary Road, Hanover Township, and Highland Manor, Wilkes-Barre, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, May 16, 2025. Born in Wilkes-Barre to the late John and Bertha Deptula Waltos, Florence was raised in the Mayflower section and graduated from Marymount High School in 1946. She went on to work as Legal Administrative Assistant to Judge Paul Sielecki, Judge Edward Lopato, and Judge Patrick Toole, with whom she worked for over 30 years until her retirement in 2001. After her retirement, she became an active volunteer at many organizations such as the Mercy Hospital Gift Shop, The Fine Arts Fiesta, The Wyoming Valley Duck Derby, and she was an usher at the Kirby Center. She received many honors, and pins, for her commitment in her years of service. Florence loved to keep active and exercise. For many years she enjoyed the pool at the YMCA, and water aerobics at John Heinz. She and her husband, Lenny, were also avid Polka Dancers and made cherished memories at local Polka events with friends, and the Annual Polka Weekend in Wildwood, NJ. They also loved to travel and went on many exciting trips through Europe, Poland, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, to name a few. Florence made friends wherever she went and maintained those friendships for many years. Known for her warm, loving, generous and kind spirit, she brought joy to all who knew her. Her deep Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. A lifelong member of our Our Lady of Hope (formerly St. Mary’s of the Maternity Church), in Wilkes-Barre. She was a Eucharistic Minister, and brought the Holy Eucharist to the sick in hospitals and nursing homes. She also enjoyed volunteering at the church fundraising dinners, past bazaars, and was part of the pierogi making team, and the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary Society. Holidays were very special to Florence. Spending time together with family meant everything to her. She was the heart of our family, our holidays, and we will treasure all of our special memories of her. She was a wonderful baker and cook, and her special dishes like her potato salad, apple, blueberry and rhubarb pies, family recipe filled cookies, Thanksgiving stuffing, and other treats, were a cherished part of family gatherings. We all loved her so much, and her favorite saying will forever echo in our hearts: ”I love you more.” In addition to her parents, John and Bertha Waltos, Florence was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband, Leonard Williams (1993); and her brother, John Waltos (2018). Left to cherish Florence’s memory are her sisters, Regina Buczynski, Wilkes-Barre, and Mary Ann Dougherty, Laflin; nephews, Joseph Buczynski and wife, Marlene, Maryland, and Jim Dougherty, Florida; niece, Kathy Dougherty, Florida; and grand-nephew, Christopher Buczynski, Maryland; along with several cousins, and many dear friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Our Lady of Hope Church, 40 Park Ave, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702, with Reverend John S. Terry, Pastor, officiating. All are invited to attend. Family and Friends may call prior to the mass from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Entombment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery Mausoleum, Hanover Township.