Joan "Gussie" (Gusgekofski) Nesgoda, RN, 84, of Dupont, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017 at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Joan was born July 1, 1932 in Kingston, PA, the daughter of the late Edward and Theresa (Grohowski) Gusgekofski. She attended Kingston High School, Class of 1950.
After graduating from the Wilkes-Barre General Nursing School in 1953, Joan spent her career as a registered nurse. She served as a private duty nurse for Mrs. Jessie Guthrie Conyngham for 10 years and was a head nurse for the former Leader East Nursing Home. Joan retired as a nurse for the Northeastern PA Red Cross Bloodmobile and spent her retired years at her home in Dupont.
Joan was married to the love of her life, Michael J. Nesgoda, Sr., for 56 years and was the proud mother of JoAnn and Michael, Jr.
Joan was a long-time member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Dupont, PA. She loved her church and was a proud pierogi pincher, a member of the Senior Outreach Committee, and Women's Society and enjoyed counting the church collections with her fellow volunteers.
Joan was also a member of the WBGH Nursing School Alumni Association and The Northeastern PA Red Cross Retirees Association.
Shopping was Joan's guilty pleasure. She always had impeccable taste and loved buying gifts for her friends, family, and strangers alike. Joan was very passionate about her opinions and ideas and was always looking to share her mind to whomever would listen.
Joan was the biggest fan and promoter of her grandsons, MJ and Ryan.
Joan in addition to her parents, was preceded in death by her loving husband, Mike Nesgoda (2012) and her brothers, Edward Guss and William Grayson, D.O.
Joan is survived by her son, Michael J. Nesgoda, Jr., Dupont; daughter, JoAnn Coleman and husband, Dennis, Middletown, PA; grandsons, Ryan Coleman, Herndon, VA and Michael J. Nesgoda III, (MJ), McLean, VA; sisters-in-law, Adele Grayson, Harrisburg, PA, Dolores Burgio, Harvey's Lake, Josephine Nesgoda, Pittston Township; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Caregivers become family and we would like to acknowledge Mary Kay Alba and Theresa McDonnell from Silver Care, Inc. as our extended family.
The family would like to take the opportunity to thank Dr. Gerald Gibbons for his 33 years of service as the doctor of the Nesgoda family. Thank you for the constant and loving care you’ve provided over the years! We would like to thank the nursing, therapy, respiratory, and dietary staff at WBGH for their devoted care and compassion whenever Joan was their guest. Also, we appreciated all the help and support from the in-home care staff at Superior Health Inc. for their caring friendly ways in helping Joanie over the past 5 years.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 21, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. from Kiesinger Funeral Services Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea with a mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 A.M at the Sacred Heat of Jesus Church, Lackawanna Ave. Dupont. Friends may call on Thursday, April, 20, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Interment will be held at the Parish Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Avoca Ambulance Association, 740 Main St., Avoca, Pa 18641.