Kathleen Anne Masalonis

Kathleen Anne Thérèse Masalonis – good and faithful servant of her Lord (Catholic to the max), devoted family woman and heroic single mom, hard worker, activist - went home to the heavenly place prepared for her at age 79 on November 9, 2026. She was a lifelong resident of Kingston and beloved daughter of Viola Machinas Masalonis and John Masalonis. Kathy belonged to St. Mary’s Annunciation Church for over 50 years, and when St. Mary’s closed became a very active member of the St. Ignatius Loyola Church community.

She graduated from Kingston High in 1965 and furthered her education at Wilkes College and Luzerne County Community College. She served her country as a data entry operator, console operator, and customer service agent at the Social Security Administration for 35 years through 2007, also acting as a mentor and receiving multiple awards for high performance. Before and after retirement she served her parishes in numerous ministries such as lector and sacristan, assisting in cleaning St. Mary’s Church with her brother, working in the church office, knitting in the Shawl Ministry, and more. She stayed engaged in lifelong learning about her religion through Bible study and faith sharing groups, and before her illness was in formation to become a Third Order Carmelite. Deeply committed to a better world and to the consistent ethic of life, she volunteered since 2010 at the Wilkes-Barre Pro-Life Center, helping women and families in need and wowing her colleagues by using her computer and smartphone skills to support the Center’s service and witness. In the Center’s work and through her own public witness and writing campaigns, and a bit of prayer too, she continually advocated for the unborn and their families, the elderly and infirm, prisoners, and migrants, and for an end to all war and violence. 

Kathy loved her home and also loved to vacate it from time to time; her favorite travel destinations included Atlantic City/Brigantine NJ, and Washington DC. She made it farther afield too, venturing to lands such as Taiwan, Italy/Vatican City, and her ancestral homeland of Lithuania. She valued family life tremendously and especially loved everything about celebrating holidays, from family gatherings to cooking, decorating, and worship.

She greatly missed and honored her loved ones who’d gone before, including her parents; her brother John Masalonis; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; companion Harry Plisko; and many cats and dogs. 

Left to carry on her legacy are her son Tony Masalonis, Kingston; cousins including Al Zelinski, Kingston; Mary Ann Machinas, Kingston; and Barbara (Daniel) Beneski, Glen Mills, PA. 

Kathy’s family thanks the St. Ignatius, SSA, and Pro-Life Center communities and her many friends and well-wishers there, and her devoted and loving nursing and home care team: Tracey, Angeline, Amanda, and many other dedicated caregivers, visiting nurses, and therapists; and the healthcare providers and staff who always worked for her health and happiness. 

When she was young(er), Kathy’s goal was to “go somewhere, do something, be somebody”. She most certainly has done all that and continues to do so. 

The funeral will be held Tuesday at 9.30 a.m. from Betz-Jastremski Funeral Home, Ltd., 568 Bennett Street, Luzerne with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 in the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Annunciation Cemetery, Pringle. Friends may call Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Consistent Life Network and/or the Pro-Life Center’s parent organization Pennsylvanians for Human Life.