Bernadine Marie Ridilla, 94, a resident of Luzerne, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Friday evening, June 05, 2026, at Allied Services Hospice Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Born on November 11, 1931, at the family homestead in Luzerne, Bernadine was the daughter of the late Peter Evasic and Helen Beris Evasic. As one of seven children, she remained very close to her brothers and sisters throughout her life: the late John Evasic, the late Steven Evasic, the late Margaret Whitman, Matilda Proach, the late Marcella Marlin, and Dorothy Winckoski.

Residing in Luzerne most of her life, Bernadine was a graduate of the former Luzerne High School, Class of 1949, and made many cherished memories working with her sisters at Fogerty’s Restaurant and at the local pharmacy on Main Street in Luzerne while growing up.

Marrying her loving husband, Joseph J. Ridilla Sr., on September 07, 1953, together they raised their two children, Denise Salus and Dr. Joseph J. Ridilla, and shared 45 years of marriage at the time of his passing on May 09, 1999. Her family was always very important to her. She was a kind person to all she met and had a warming presence wherever she went.

Bernie, as she was affectionately known, was a very skilled sewer, baker, and cook, with cooking being her greatest enjoyment. Her many great recipes, most of them made from scratch, were enjoyed by all, especially her pierogies and nutroll. She enjoyed hosting family, loved ones, and friends for holidays and birthdays at her home on Union Street, and for many years, she was a dedicated caregiver to her parents as they grew older.

A very faithful person, for many years Bernie was an active member of Holy Family Parish, Luzerne.

Bernie not only loved her four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, she also greatly valued the relationships she shared with them. She was always excited to attend each one’s school events, performances, sporting events, graduations, and important milestones. She also cherished her relationship with the late Connie Plewniak of Wilkes-Barre Township with whom she made many great memories throughout the years, and her great friendship with the late Mary Keller of Gettysburg.

Left to cherish her memory are her son: Dr. Joseph J. Ridilla and his wife, Elizabeth “Beth” Ridilla; her four grandchildren: Mandy Wydra and her husband, Paul; Joseph Ridilla, Julia Ridilla, and Jacob Ridilla; her three great-grandchildren: Vivienne, Fynn, and Mason; her sisters: Matilda Proach and Dorothy Winckoski; as well as her many nieces, nephews, and cousins from the Evasic, Ridilla, Whitman, Proach, Rebar, Midzak, and Winckoski families.

Bernadine’s family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the entire staff at Allied Services Meade Street Assisted Living and Hospice Center for providing Bernadine with wonderful care. They wish to bestow their sincerest appreciation to Bernie’s family physician, Dr. Patrick Kerrigan, for his years of excellent care, as well as her loving daughter-in-law, Elizabeth “Beth” Ridilla, for the loving and attentive care she provided over the past few years.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Bernadine’s services which will begin with viewing on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, and continue there on Monday, June 15, 2026, with viewing from 9:30 to 10:15 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Saint Nicholas – Saint Mary’s Parish, 226 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, with the Reverend Father Fidel Ticona, Parochial Vicar, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Mount Olivet Roman Catholic Cemetery, Carverton section of Kingston Township, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband.

To share a memory of Bernadine or message of condolence with her family, you may visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

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