Obituary of Marilyn J Bahantka

Bahantka, Marilyn J. Age 86 of Big Flats, NY, formerly of Elmira Heights, NY. She was born December 6, 1935 in Elmira, NY, daughter of the late Clarence and Isabelle (Woznick) Newman and passed away Thursday, May 5, 2022 peacefully at home surrounded by family. She was predeceased by her husband William, the love of her life, brother Wayne Newman, cousin Michael Kozemko and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Darline & Butch Bahantka. She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren William & Cheryll with daughter Jamie, Becky & Nicholas Gilbert with children Rebecca, Nicholas (Macey) and Elliot, Susan & Timothy Matejka, Justine (Dan) Schneider with their children Evelyn and Henry, Sara (Jared) Lowe with their son Thomas, Deborah & John Tokar with children Jon-Michael and Kendyl; Stephen Bahantka with daughter Amber (Jordan Mastrantonio) Bahantka with children Ryan, Kyle, Aidyn, Dakota and Bryson; sister Darleen Gumtowwith friend James Watach; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Francis & Charlotte Bahantka; sister-in-law Pam Newman along with several nieces, nephews and cousins including special cousin and friend Joyce Piasecki. Marilyn was a communicant of St. Charles Borromeo Church where she and her husband were married on August 9, 1958. Marilyn graduated from TAE in Elmira Heights in 1954. She graduated from Morrisville State College of Nursing; trained at SUNY Cortland and traveled to Kentucky to work at her first job at Harlan Hospital. She returned to the area to work at St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira, then worked for Dr. Raymond Frisk, thereafter she raised five children, then decided to go back into the work world at Pudgie's Pizza in Horseheads. Later she began working at Howell Packaging in Elmira. She loved working at all of her jobs and made many great friends along the way, especially Rose Penner and her fish fry friends from Howell's. Marilyn spent much of her time cooking & baking, spending time with her family. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was skilled at toll painting, quilting & knitting and made cherished quilts for all of her children. She loved meeting regularly with her extended group of friends who she quilted with. In recent years, she enjoyed traveling with her family, and travel buddy, Jody Tokar. Family and friends are invited to visit Walter J. Kent Funeral Home, 858 Lake St. at Washington Ave., Elmira on Monday, May 16th from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Committal prayers and interment will follow at 3 pm in Woodlawn National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Big Flats Fire Department. They showed kindness, compassion and professionalism while caring for Marilyn.