Obituaries

Celeste E. Kowalewski, 71, of New Milford, lovingly known as Dolly, passed away on September 2, 2026, at Regional Hospital of Scranton. She was born on December 26, 1954, in Susquehanna.

Dolly graduated from Susquehanna Community High School in 1972 and went on to work as an administrative assistant for many businesses, including Frito-Lay, the school and her family business. She was known for her enjoyment of gardening, a gift she received from her father, Rancher. Among the memories cherished by those who loved her are the many times she spent babysitting her nieces, nephews and grandchildren, as well as her trips to Tennessee.

At the heart of Dolly’s life was her family. She shared 53 years of marriage with her husband, Donald Kowalewski; her daughter and son-in-law, Stefanie and Bill; daughter-in-law, Nicole Kowalewski; grandchildren, Cayli Allen, Reese Allen, Sienna and Ryan Blaisure, Natalie Kowalewski, Max Kowalewski, Molly Kowalewski; as well as her great-grandson, Trigg; brothers, Richard and Mary Lake, Edward and Geri Lake, Bob and Jean Spangenberg, Brenda Lake, Jackie and Randy Gilbert, Leslie and Chuck Marble; sister-in-law, Joni Kaiser; brother-in-law, Ron Kowalewski; sister-in-law, Joanne Kowalewski; many loving nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents, Lestley and Edna Lake; son, Donald Kowalewski; sisters Judy and Robert Gay, Gail and Larry Hanrahan, Shirley and Tom Pugliesie; brother, Tom Lake; brother-in-law, John and Donna Kowalewski; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Fletcher.

Her love and care for her extended family will be remembered warmly by all who knew her.

Per Dolly’s request, there will be no services, and her family will gather at a later date. Private interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery.

Arrangements by Hennessey’s Funeral Home, Inc., 747 Jackson Avenue, Susquehanna.

Mary Ann Jorgenson (née Ballog), 78, of New Milford, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on June 4, 1948, in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Theresa Cognetti Ballog and John Ballog. Mary Ann graduated from Montrose High School with the Class of 1966.

In 1970, she married the love of her life, Charles “Skip” Jorgenson. The couple briefly made their home in Newfoundland while Skip served in the United States Navy before returning to Pennsylvania, where they built their home in New Milford in 1971. More than five decades later, it remained the place they loved most.

Mary Ann worked as a bank teller in New Milford for more than 27 years, becoming a familiar and trusted friend to many customers along the way. She found joy in life's simple pleasures: sitting on her deck surrounded by flowers, watching the wildlife in the woods around her home and spending time with family and friends. She also loved to travel, taking many trips along the East Coast by cruise ship, train and bus, and especially cherished visits with her niece, Jennifer and her family in North Carolina.

To those who knew her, Mary Ann was a source of comfort, kindness and generosity. Whether it was a home-cooked meal, a thoughtful gift, or simply being there when someone needed her, she had a way of making people feel cared for. For most of her life, she was lovingly known as “Nip,” a nickname that began in childhood after she was delighted by Barney Fife's famous, “Nip it in the bud” line on The Andy Griffith Show. The nickname stayed with her for decades, even finding its way onto her license plate: “NIPS CAR.”

Mary Ann is survived by her devoted husband, Charles “Skip” Jorgenson; her beloved sister, Kathleen “Kathy” Ballog; sister, Sandra Cox; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mary Ann Jorgenson to the National Scleroderma Foundation.

Arrangements by the Tuttle-Yeisley Funeral Home, Inc., 25 Susquehanna Avenue, Hallstead.

Thomas John Lake, 76, of Thompson, formerly of Sparks, Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Barnes-Kasson Hospital in Susquehanna. He was born on October 30, 1949, in Susquehanna.

Thomas was a graduate of Susquehanna Community High School and later attended college at TMCC in Nevada. Over the course of his working life, he was employed at Washoe Medical Center, Ralston Purina, and the Peppermill Casino. His years of work reflected a steady and dependable presence, and after retiring in Nevada, he returned to Thompson with his wife, Joni, to be closer to family.

Outside of work, Thomas found enjoyment in the things he loved most. He refinished furniture, took pleasure in Ford Mustangs, watching Nascar and enjoyed gardening.

He was predeceased by his parents, Lestley (Rancher) and Edna Lake; sisters, Shirley and Tom Pugliesie, Judy and Bob Gay, Gail and Larry Hanrahan; great-grandson, Christopher Vogler; nephew, Donald Kowalewski.

Thomas is survived by his loving spouse of 44 years, Joni Kaiser; son, Gregory Lake and friend, Laurie; two daughters, Sally and Allan Smith Jr., Karen and Jeff Bushong; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard and Mary Lake, Edward and Geri Lake; sisters, Celeste and Donald Kowalewski, Brenda Lake, Jackie and Randy, Leslie and Charles Marble; many loving nieces and nephews; special family friends, Jim Juarez, Tom Price, Bob Wilkie, John Bixby’s family, Martin and Kathy Tully, Mike and Mark French.

The family will receive friends at Hennessey’s Funeral Home, 747 Jackson Avenue, Susquehanna, on Friday, September 4, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the: Thompson Hose Company, PO Box 419, Thompson, PA 18465.