On Saturday morning, September 29, 2018, Louise P. Harbay, 91, a resident of the Gateway Apartments, Edwardsville, and formerly a longtime resident of Orchard Street, Wilkes-Barre, passed into eternal life at the Post-Acute Specialty Hospital at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Her beloved husband was the late Leo F. Harbay, who passed away unexpectedly on February 10, 1976 at the age of 56. Although Louise and Leo only shared a short 21 years of marriage, the years they had together were full of love and happiness.

Born on October 12, 1926, in Wilkes-Barre, Louise was the daughter of the late Ignazio Sanfilippo and Margherita (Calore) Sanfilippo.

Louise was raised in Wilkes-Barre, and attended E.L. Meyers High School until the 10^th grade when she left school to go to work. In the late 1970’s, she proudly took courses to earn her General Equivalency Diploma (GED).

Prior to her retirement in 1996, Louise was employed as the lead clerk of the tape library for the Social Security Administration, Wilkes-Barre.

Louise was a woman of great faith and she was a longtime member of the former Saint Therese of the Little Flower Church, South Wilkes-Barre.

For over 20 years, Louise was an active volunteer with the American Red Cross, Wilkes-Barre. An ardent supporter of blood donation, she was a fixture at blood drives at the Jewish Community Center, Wilkes-Barre, and the Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion, Edwardsville.

Louise was a kind-hearted, strong, and loyal person who loved to socialize and share a good laugh with her family and friends. She made sure to live each day to the fullest, and was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

An excellent cook, Louise was renowned within her family for her tomato sauce, her pasta dishes, and her pineapple squares.

Louise’s family was her pride and joy, and she loved her daughters, son’s-in-law, grandson, and great-grandchildren with all her heart. As the matriarch of the family, her loved ones always looked to her for her wisdom, wise counsel and sage advice. Although her earthly presence will be missed beyond measure, her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now reunited with her beloved husband, Leo, and all her family members and friends who have gone before her.

In addition to her parents, Ignazio and Margherita Sanfilippo, and her husband, Leo, Louise was preceded in death by her brothers, Carl and Frank Sanfilippo; and her sister, Helen (Sanfilippo) Calore.

Louise is survived by her loving daughters, Deborah “Debby” Harbay and her life companion, David Rosenko, Wilkes-Barre Township; and Lee Ann Kashnicki and her husband, Michael, Shavertown; her one and only adoring grandson, Michael Kashnicki, Shavertown; her cherished great-grandchildren, Michael and Ana Kashnicki, who were the light of their “GiGi’s” life; generations of nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many dear friends.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Jeffrey D’Andrea, Dr. James Martino, and the nurses and staff from both 2 East Telemetry at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, and the Post-Acute Medical Specialty Hospital, for the outstanding, compassionate care they bestowed upon Louise during her time of need. They wish to also thank Dr. Kevin Carey and his staff for the years of wonderful care they provided Louise.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted Thursday, October 04, 2018, at 10:15 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in Saint Nicholas Church, 226 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, with the Reverend Joseph D. Verespy, Pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saints Cyril and Methodius Roman Catholic Cemetery, Pringle. 

Family and Friends are invited to Louise’s viewing on Wednesday, October 03, 2018, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send Louise’s Family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made in Louise’s memory to one of the following charities: Medical Oncology Associates Prescription Assistance Fund, 382 Pierce Street, Kingston, PA 18704; American Red Cross – Eastern PA Region, 2221 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103; or the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 East Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.