Ann Marie T. Barberio Vitale

Ann Marie T. "Barberio" Vitale, 69, of 4 Bridge St., West Nanticoke, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday.

Born in WIlkes-Barre on November 16, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Mary "Autunno" Barberio of Wilkes-Barre. Ann Marie was a member of St Francis of Assisi Church in Nanticoke until it closed. She resided in her West Nanticoke home until the flood of 2011 forced her to move

Ann Marie raised 10 children in West Nanticoke with her husband of 35 years, Joseph "Butch" Vitale Jr., who passed away on Father's Day 1997. Ann Marie was preceded in death by her brothers John, Vincent, Jerry, Joseph, Anthony and Marty.

Ann Marie is survived by her sister, Florence Walkowiak, and brother Frank Barberio of WIlkes-Barre' children and spouses, Joseph III and Trish Honeybrook, Pa., Steven, Tunkhannock; Raymond and Beth, California; Thomas and Christine, Nanticoke; Rose Ann, Florida; Paul and Lynn, Shickshinny; Robert and Angela, Upper Macungie Township; David and Josephine, Hershey; Eric and Mary Ann "Vitale." Pinote, Tenn.; John and Esther Marie "Vitale" Krupa, Hanover Township. She especially enjoyed her 14 grandchildren, Thomas, Vincent, Samantha, Dominic, Timmy, Anthony, Shawn, Victoria, Afton, Ava, Giada, Colton, Luciana and Aiden. Ann Marie is also survived by sisters-in-law, Marlene and Jane Barberio, and Carmella "Vitale" Michno, and brothers-in-law, Patrick Donlin and Florian Michno.

There was never a dull moment with Ann Marie around. She loved her family and was full of life and energy. Throughout all the difficulties, from poverty to floods to poor health, Ann Marie enjoyed the simple things, including spending time with her children and grandchildren, cooking a traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner, bingo, eating out, collecting gas lamps and angels, watching her children's and grandchildren's sporting events, scrap booking and collecting photo albums. Ann Marie's favorite color was purple, and she loved all kinds of music. She enjoyed taking car rides in the country, especially during her favorite time of year, autumn.

Ann Marie dedicated her life to being a full time homemaker, mother and wife, with some of the most precious times of her life coming later as she watched her children grow into successful adults who all bore a strong work ethnic, compassion and the same love of family sh had. She would tell anyone who would listen about her children, three of whom served in the U.S. Marine Corps, one who is currently a master gunnery sergeant, a farmer and journeyman mason, a cardiac nurse, a general manager, an attorney, a mechanic, a chef, a certified public accountant, entrepreneurs, a CEO, a professional truck driver and Man f the Year recipient. Ann Marie will always be remembered as a caring person who loved animals, was generous with what little she had and could always be counted on for encouragement to anyone in need. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends. Ann Marie's children say it best: They don't make women like Mom anymore.

The family wold like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Karen Korzick and all the doctors and nurses of 5 AICU at Geisinger Medical Centers of Danville and Plains Township. The care and compassion extended during her hospitalization was greatly appreciated.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Stanley S. Stegura Funeral Home Inc., 614 S. Hanover St., Nanticoke, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. in the main site of St. Faustina's Parish, 520 S. Hanover St., Nanticoke.

Interment will be in st. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Friends may call from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. until time of service Wednesday.

Published - Obituary in The Times Leader on 10-1-2013.