Barbara T. (Maylath) Olenick

Barbara T. Olenick, 79, of Sugarloaf, passed away Thursday morning, April 25, 2019 at home.

Born in Hazleton, October 15, 1939, she was the daughter of the late John and Barbara (Maylath) Maylath and spent the past 70 years in Sugarloaf after moving from West Hazleton.

Barbara was devoted to God and was very proud of her Slovak heritage. In her youth she was a Member of Holy Trinity RC Church where she was a member of the sodality. After graduating from West Hazleton High School she worked as a seamstress before meeting the love of her life at a dance. She was a homemaker for many years and devoted her life to her family and to God. She later became a homemaker for resident and visiting Priests and seminarians at St. John Bosco Church in Conyngham. She was instrumental in feeding everyone at church events, organizing many pierogie and bread making get-togethers where not only food was made but fun times shared.

She was a devoted Mother and wife who always put others needs above her own. She was a tremendous cook and baker and no one ever left her home hungry. Her bread, pierogies and halupki were the best around. She desired nothing more than to spend time with her beloved family playing pinochle, swimming, sitting at the kitchen table or on the front porch, enjoying family picnics and holiday celebrations. She was a natural at passing along her skills to her family with patience and love. She loved her extended family so much and enjoyed reminiscing at family reunions, eating great food, playing games, always the first to arrive and the last to leave.

She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by her loving husband Michael F. Olenick, who passed away in 1995; sister Elizabeth Racho, and brothers Vincent, Michael, Matthew, and John Maylath.

Surviving are six children, Barbara Sissick and husband Thomas, McAdoo; John Olenick and wife Robin, Hazleton; Michael Olenick and wife Jeanine, Allentown; Ann Olenick, Sugarloaf; Beth Olenick, Avoca; and Mary Price and husband Jon, Ephrata; six grandchildren, Krystina, Justin, Sierra, Michael, Barbara and Lorell; one great-grandson, Spencer; one sister, Marie Wolk. Sugarloaf; many nieces and nephews and her caregiver Amy Sunder.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 29, 2019 at 10 AM in St. John Bosco RC Church, 573 PA-93, Sugarloaf. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the church, Monday morning from 9 AM – 10 AM.

Memorial donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com

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