Phyllis Manganiello, 80, of Avoca passed from this earth September 13, 2017 surrounded by family in the Celtic Hospice Unit of Geisinger Wilkes-Barre South. “When God saw Phyllis so very tired, a cure not meant to be, He wrapped his arms around her and whispered ‘come with Me’”. A glorious and merciful day for Phyllis and a very sad day for those who loved her.
Phyllis was born in Old Forge on October 5, 1936 to James and Violet Evans Graziano. The oldest of five children, she had two sisters and two brothers that she treated with loving care all her life. She was the wife of the love of her life – Kenneth – for 42 years until his death in May 2000. She was a wonderful and devoted mother to Melanie and grandmother to Kenny – the lights of her life. A graduate of Old Forge High School’s Class of 1954, she was an honor student and cheerleading co-captain. She is an alumnus of Scranton State General Hospital School of Nursing and attended College Misericordia.
Phyllis was honored in the Mercy Hospital (Regional) Family newsletter that read….an RN from the old school - in the trenches, let’s get the job done and it’s not over until it’s over. She was a caring professional and gave a lot of herself every day and in return received a great deal of respect from physicians, nurses and family members that she rubbed shoulders with. Phyllis was a nursing mainstay at Mercy Hospital for over 30 years in the areas of med-surg, physical- and emergency-medicine, case management, spending the majority of her career as a Head Nurse managing the hectic pace of Three North. She was a member of the Catholic Nurses Guild and taught CCD classes at Queen of the Apostles (St. Mary’s) Church, Avoca.
Phyllis is survived by her sisters Julie Ann (Fred) Muth and Violet Graziano Vullo – both of Taylor, her brother John (JoAnne) Graziano – Old Forge, sisters-in-law Janice Graziano – Dupont, Carol Kearney – South Carolina, Margie Greenburg – Allentown, and brother-in-law Luis (Regina) Manganiello – Exeter, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Phyllis was preceded in death by an infant daughter – Mary, a son – Kenneth, Jr., a brother – James (Jimbo) Graziano, nephews – Jamie and Fred Muth, in-laws – Carmen and Coppie Manganiello, Buster Kearney and Sonny Greenburg.
The family would like to extend its sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to the angels of mercy of Celtic Hospice and Father Phil Sladicka from Queen of the Apostles Church who so generously and compassionately cared for Phyllis. And their hearts go out to the families who are struggling to cope with Alzheimer’s disease…having to look everyday into the vacant face and empty eyes of someone who no longer recognizes you, someone you shared a life with, who loved you and was loved so deeply…it’s an affliction with almost too much pain for a family to endure. We pray that this disease is better understood and a cure is soon found.
Phyllis was cremated, per her wishes. Interment will take place at a later date. Donations can be made to the Northeast PA Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes- Barre, PA 18701 or to Celtic Hospice @ Geisinger Wilkes-Barre South, 25 Church St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18765.