MESHOPPEN — Kathleen Dunbar, 85, of Meshoppen, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on the evening of May 24, 2015.
She was born in Wilkes-Barre on Sept. 20, 1929, a daughter of Jesse and Ruth (Oplinger) Ladner.
Kathleen was a seamstress for most of her life and could make about anything that she set her mind to. After retiring, she found her true calling and started doing private duty nursing. She was loved by all of her patients because of her loving, caring nature and her great sense of humor.
Kathleen was a member of the Meshoppen United Methodist Church. She enjoyed picnics at the river and at Charlie's pond, endless chats with her sisters, spending time with her family telling stories of the old days, watching her grandchildren play and rocking those babies.
She was a fantastic cook and cooked for many events. She taught many of her family members how to cook and can. She also loved traveling and spending time with her friends. She loved her birds as well. Kathleen's home was always open to whomever needed a placed to hang their hat or have a good meal.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Betty Brewer, Ruthann Scapillato and Joan Inman; as well as her brothers Dick, Jim, Don and Jesse Ladner; and a daughter, Sharon Brostoski.
She is survived by her son, George Thomas and his wife, Mary, Laceyville; her daughters, Judy Bauman and her husband, Mike, Meshoppen, Kathy Carnevale (Bill Volk), Meshoppen, Cindy Fredendall (Charlie Randall), Binghamton, New York; her sister, Nancy Jennings and her husband, Bob, Meshoppen; her son-in-law, Bob Brostoski, Meshoppen; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and one due any day; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Kathleen was the matriarch of her family, the glue that held them together, the keeper of their secrets and the tallest, strongest branch of their tree.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main Street, Meshoppen, with chaplain David Betts of the Hospice of Sacred Heart officiating. Interment will be in the Overfield Cemetery in Meshoppen. Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the Meshoppen Fire Company, P.O. Box 118, Meshoppen, PA 18630.