Obituary of Maryanne Charnichko

Maryanne (Pekol) Charnichko, 88, of Wilkes-Barre Township passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at her home. She was born in Wilkes-Barre Township, a daughter of the late John and Catherine Shelpack Pekol. Maryanne was educated in the Wilkes-Barre Township schools and was a graduate of Marymount High School, class of 1953 and College Misericordia, class of 1957. She completed graduate studies in several local colleges. Employed as an educator in Netcong, NJ, she taught chemistry and math. She returned to Wilkes-Barre and after raising her family, she resumed her career as an elementary teacher, where she taught in many of the city schools, having taught for the last 26 years at Dodson Elementary School. Maryanne loved to garden, cook and travel with her grandchildren. She also loved to socialize with her friends and family, and pursue her family’s ancestorial history. Maryanne traveled with each of her grandchildren to many destinations. She traveled in Europe, to France, where she visited the Eifel Tower and the Louve in Paris and Lisieux in the Normandy Region. She traveled to Alaska and many national parks, including Niagara Falls, Arches, and the Painted Desert. She traveled to Las Vegas and California, enjoying time in Malibu, San Francisco, where she visited the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz and to San Diego. Maryanne experienced Fourth of July Fireworks at the Statue of Liberty. She also enjoyed day trips to Boulder Field at Hickory Run State Park and traveling on many cruises. She was a lifelong and active parishioner of Our Lady of Hope Parish (formerly St. Mary Church of the Maternity) in Wilkes-Barre, where she was a member of the Christian Women’s Society and the morning mass group. Maryanne was also a member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (Luzerne/Wyoming Chapters) and Friends of School Retirees (FANN). Most of all, she was a devoted mother, friend and supporter of her grandchildren. She was a loyal friend to those who knew her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Cathy Jorda and by her former husband of 30 years, the late Nicholas Charnichko. Maryanne is survived by her children, Mary Lisa Bogan and her husband, Howard, Brielle, NJ; Nicholas Charnichko and his wife, Dr. Becky Metcalf-Charnichko, East Tauton, MA; and John Pekol and his wife, Kim, Doylestown; by her grandchildren, Alexa (Bogan) Thomases, Nicole Bogan, Vanessa (Bogan) Manetta, Chelsey (Bogan) Molimock, Erik Bogan, Ginger Rose Charnichko, Mary Kate Charnichko and Norah Jane Pekol; by her greatgrandchildren, Harrison and Lily Thomases, Ava, Sophia and Madelyn Manetta, Frank and Brielle Molimock and Hudson Bogan. She is also survived by her brother, John Pekol, Wilkes-Barre Township and by many dear friends. A celebration of Maryanne’s life will begin with a visitation for family and friends on Friday from 9-10 am in Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Rev. John S. Terry will be the celebrant. Private interment for immediate family members will be in St. Mary’s Maternity Cemetery, West Wyoming. Those attending the visitation and mass are asked to go directly to the church. Parking in available in the church parking lots on S. Hancock Street, just behind the church. In lieu of flowers donations, may be made in Maryanne’s memory to Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent by visiting Maryanne’s obituary at www.ngjfuneral.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Nat Gawlas Jordan Funeral Home, 89 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre.