Barbara A. Walko, 84, formerly of Shavertown, passed peacefully into eternal life Saturday evening, July 15, 2023, surrounded by family, in Glen Allen, Virginia, where she resided since January.

Barbara was an extraordinary woman, whose selfless love of family and friends was immeasurable. Kindness, generosity, and self-sacrifice were the hallmarks of her life. Her faith, strength, and love leave an indelible mark and serve as inspiration to her family, and all blessed to have known her.

Born on February 22, 1939, in Luzerne, Barbara was the daughter of the late Milo Reilly and Josephine Mandycz. After years as a business professional, Barbara followed her faith and turned her talents to a career in the Scranton Diocese.  She served as administrator, and on financial councils for St. John Nepomucene and Holy Family Parishes in Luzerne. Her love of God’s children, and early faith formation, led her to serve at Good Shepherd Academy in Kingston until her retirement.

Barbara’s talents centered around creating and sharing homemade artistic and culinary items.  From intricately crocheted doilies, blankets, and baby outfits to preserves and delicacies baked using products from her gardens, sharing with family and friends brought Barbara immense joy. Of all her cooking talents, Barbara was most proud of the traditional Polish dishes passed down from her Babcia (Grandmother). She cherished Easter and Christmas Eve Wigilia and faithfully prepared them throughout her life. She, and the generations before her, will be proud knowing these traditions will be carried on by her children and grandchildren.

In addition to her husband of 53 years, William B. Walko, Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Milo and Josephine Reilly; sisters, Mary Ann Farrell and Carol Novack; brothers, John Reilly and Milo “Butch” Reilly; and grandson, Jacob Stuart.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Walko and wife, Lisa, of Glen Allen, Virginia; daughter, Michele Stuart and husband, Robert, of Larksville; seven grandchildren, Rachael, Rebecca, and Andrew Walko; Matthew, Nicholas, Michael, and Katherine Stuart; brothers, Anthony Reilly and Joseph Reilly; sister, Kathleen Carr; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom she loved so dearly.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral on Friday, July 21, 2023, at 9:15 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at Saint Frances X. Cabrini Parish, 585 Mount Olivet Road, Wyoming.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Ann’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Lehman Township.

Family and Friends are invited to Barbara’s viewing on Thursday, July 20, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at the funeral home.

To share messages of condolence with Barbara’s family, visit www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or their Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made in Barbara’s memory to Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Road, Richmond, Virginia 23229.

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