10/21/2024

Audrey Lynn Gabriel Pietryka

Date of Death: June 19, 2024

In the early afternoon hours of Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Audrey Lynn Gabriel Pietryka, 75, a resident of the Toytown section of West Wyoming, departed this earthly life, entering into the glory of Heaven with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, following a seven-year struggle with dementia.

Her loving husband is Theodore J. Pietryka Sr., with whom Audrey would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on September 6th.

Born on May 07, 1949, in Scranton, Audrey was one of three children born to the late William S. “Gabe” Gabriel and Ruth Beecham Gabriel.

Raised in Taylor, Audrey was a graduate of Riverside High School, Class of 1967. Immediately after high school, she enrolled at Keystone Beauty College, Scranton, where she received her cosmetology certification.

Beginning her career as a hairdresser and cosmetologist with the former Mr. Philip’s Beauty Salon, Scranton, Audrey eventually operated her first business, “Audrie’s Designer Nails and Hair”, specializing in fiberglass wrapped nails, operating from her former home in Newton Township while raising her children. She then went on to work for a few other salons before opening her second beauty salon, “Infinite Design Studio”, Dunmore, operating the business until her retirement in 2016.

Beside operating her beauty salon, Audrey also assisted her son, Aaron, for many years at his funeral home, Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., Forty Fort, serving as hairdresser, manicurist, and occasional cosmetologist – in her own words, she “found it to be God’s work to give someone’s loved one back to them looking their very best.”

A caregiver at heart, Audrey served for some years as a personal caretaker for Mrs. Rhoda H. Warren, Waverly, who became a very dear friend to her. As her grandsons were growing up, she loved spending every single Monday with them – she was truly the best “Mimi” in the world!

Devoted to her Catholic faith, Audrey was a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville.

The epitome of class and style, Audrey never left her home without her hair impeccably styled, her makeup flawless, her nails immaculately manicured, and her jewelry accenting her outfit to perfection. Her outer beauty matched her inner beauty – she was kind, humble, and extended her loving and caring heart to everyone she encountered.

Audrey had countless enjoyments in life, yet the simplest pleasures in life were her favorite! She loved a piping hot cup of coffee (with lots of cream), working the daily crosswords (she sometimes cheated), enjoying a well-prepared meal at fine restaurant, and the occasional apple vanilla martini (“shooken” over ice). She also loved cooking for her family and was famous for her delicious piggies, stuffed peppers, and tarragon chicken.

Above all, Audrey was fiercely devoted to her family and friends – she loved each of them with all her heart! Although her passing leaves a tremendous void, there is joy in knowing she is free of all her earthly sufferings, reunited in Heaven with her beloved son, Teddy, who she longed for since his passing.

In addition to her parents, William and Ruth Gabriel, Audrey was preceded in death by her beloved son, Theodore J. Pietryka Jr., who passed away on November 30, 2017 – to say that Teddy’s death changed her life forever is an understatement. She was also preceded in death by her brother, William T. “Bumper’s” Gabriel, who tragically passed away on December 05, 1974, in a motor vehicle accident while serving in the United States Coast Guard.

Left to cherish the beautiful legacy she leaves behind are her husband, Theodore, and their children, Jennifer L. Pietryka Schmitt and her husband, David, Tacoma, Washington; and Aaron W. Pietryka, Forty Fort; her three grandsons, Gabriel Pietryka, Garrett Pietryka, and Theodore J. Pietryka III, all of Clarks Summit; her sister, Doris Brittan and her husband, Thomas, Clearwater, Florida; her dear sister-in-law, Karen Pietryka Kumor and her husband, Alan, Old Forge; her best friend, Mari Anne Esgro, Taylor, and her family; as well as her nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Audrey’s viewing which will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, at the family funeral home, the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort.

A con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 10:30 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville. The Reverend Father Richard J. Cirba, will be the celebrant. The Reverend Father John J. Chmil, Pastor; Reverend Father Joseph J. Pisaneschi, Reverend Father Louis A. Grippe, and Reverend Father Andrii Dumnych, will be the con-celebrants. Friends are asked to assemble directly at the church as the family will have a private funeral procession from the family funeral home.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville – all are welcome to attend the burial service.

To share a memory of Audrey or message of condolence with her family, you may visit our website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

Memorial donations may be made in Audrey’s memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, or by visiting www.stjude.org/donate.

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