Lillian M. Jurista

Lillian M. Jurista of Jurista Drive Tunkhannock died Saturday in Mercy Tyler Hospital in Tunkhannock after a brief battle with cancer. She was born in South Gibson, Pa. on May 29, 1929 daughter of the late Ernest and Lillian Swett Wilbur. Lillian was a 1947 graduate of Harford High School, member of the Church of The Nativity B.V.M. in Tunkhannock and its Alter and Rosary Society. For over 50 years she sold Stanley Home Products. She was a member American Legion Post 457 Ladies Auxiliary. Lillian was an avid baker and enjoyed crocheting afghans. Through the years Lillian crocheted over 350 afghans that she presented to the newborn nursery at Barnes Kasson Hospital to be taken home with the parents and the newborn babies. She was an avid Bingo Player and enjoyed trips to casinos with her husband and best friends Peg and Norm Ball of Tunkhannock. She actively volunteered in making pierogies with members of Nativity BVM church. She was a loving Mother and Grandmother and who looked forward to baking apple pies with her daughter, granddaughter, and great-grandchildren at the Keiser home. She was preceded in death by her first husband Edward Goldsmith, brother Leroy Wilbur, sisters Loretta Bennett, Louella Bennett, Edna Bennett and Grace Heisler. Surviving is her husband of 18 years George Jurista, son and daughter in laws, Michael and Janis Goldsmith, Jenningsville, Patrick and Nancy Goldsmith, Sherburne, NY, Edward and Ronda Goldsmith, Montrose, Step-sons, George and Francine Jurista Jr. of Tunkhannock, Gary Jurista of Tunkhannock, daughters and son in laws Linda and Charles Buffington of Susquehanna, Anne Marie and Tom Homza of Simpson, Sharon and Joseph Weidow of Hop Bottom, step daughter Patricia and Robert Bartron of Mesa, Az., brothers Ernest and Wesley Wilbur both of Hop Bottom, sisters Doris Hayes and Alyce Pratt both of Hallstead and Mary Jenkins of Elmira, NY, numerous nieces and nephews. Lillian is also survived by twenty-one grandchildren and twenty-nine great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 9:30 am from the Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home Inc., 73 W. Tioga St. in Tunkhannock with Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM in the Church of the Nativity B.V.M. in Tunkhannock. Interment will be in Pieta Cemetery Tunkhannock. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 to 8. Memorial donations may be made to Nativity BVM, Tunkhannock.