Obituary of Viola Rubbico

Viola Augustine Rubbico, 96, of the Hudson section of Plains Township, walked through heaven’s gate to be greeted by her Lord and Savior, leaving her loving family, who surrounded her at the Residential Hospice Unit of Geisinger South Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, on Monday, January 21, 2019.

Born in the Keystone section of Plains on August 11, 1922, she was one of seven children of the late Nazzareno and Assunta Minichelli Augustine. At a young age, Viola attended local schools and was a graduate of the Plains Memorial High School, class of 1940.

Shortly after graduation, Viola began working in the local garment industry of Plains. She worked for Gort’s, Fifi Frock, and Homer Garment Factories as a seamstress over her thirty-five years of employment. Thru this time, she was a proud member of the International Garment Workers Union ( I.L.G.W.U.).

During these years, Viola married Gerald Rubbico, and together they had their three children: Gerald Jr., Anita, and David. Gerald Sr. passed on April 15, 1991.

Viola was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. If you knew Viola, you felt as if she was your grandmother, she loved everyone and would speak the honest truth.

Throughout the years, Viola was a very active woman. She was very involved in the local Democratic party; the Red Hat Society (“Ladies with Hattitude”); the Plains Senior Citizens; a past member of the Confraternity of Christian Mothers of St. Joseph’s Church; a past member of St. Joseph Church until its closure, and a current member of Saints Peter and Paul Church, Plains. She was also very involved with her 1940 classmates with reunions and social meetings at the casino once a month.

Viola enjoyed cooking, playing cards, traveling with her family to Italy and Hawaii, having family reunions, or having her special Tuesday gathering with her nieces and daughter.

Viola’s best advice was “The ball is round”. Meaning treat everyone with kindness and that kindness would return to you or karma would step in.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gerald; sisters Mary Answini; Vera Godula; Lena Segeda; brothers Joseph; Victor; and Dominick Augustine.

Surviving are her children sons Gerald and David Rubbico, Plains; daughter Anita Rubbico, Plains; grandchildren: Edward Koulik Jr., Plains; Ann Osmanski (Rob), Plains; David Rubbico Jr., Plains; Douglas Rubbico, Plains; Jillian Rubbico, Hoboken, NJ; great-grandchildren: Milea Osmanski, Ethan Osmanski; Griffin Osmanski; Vienna Koulik, Edward Koulik III; Beau Koulik; Isabella Koulik; and David James (DJ)Rubbico.

Family and friends are invited to Viola’s visitations on Thursday, January 24, 2019, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Yanaitis Funeral Home Inc., 55 Stark Street, Plains. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, January 25, at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains, officiated by Rev. John C. Lambert, Pastor. Interment will be held in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville, following Mass.

Over the last few weeks, Viola had received excellent care and was kept comfortable. We would like to thank Dr. Charles Manganiello, Dr.  Jeffrey Dandrea and Dr.Michalene Torbik for their compassionate care of Viola. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be given to the Saints Peter and Paul Food Pantry, 13 Hudson Road, Plains, Pa, 18705.