Margaret (Peggy) Yates Loefflad

Margaret Yates Loefflad of Pittston, Pennsylvania, 86, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 25 at Wesley Village, Pittston, PA where she had been a resident for several years.

Born May 7, 1939, Peggy was raised in the Providence section of Scranton and graduated from Scranton Central High School in 1957. She earned her R.N. from Scranton State Hospital School of Nursing in 1959 and later completed additional coursework at the University of New Hampshire. She began her career with the Visiting Nurses Association, caring for patients in rural homes throughout Scranton, Waverly, and Dalton.

In 1965, Peggy moved to Forty Fort with her first husband, William E. Dantona, Jr., and their young family. For over 20 years, she was an active and dedicated member of the community. A self-described “Mary-Take-Charge,” she stepped in wherever needed—serving as a Girl Scout leader and Cookie Chairperson, organizing Red Cross blood drives, and participating in the West Side Junior Women’s Club. At Forty Fort United Methodist Church, she sang in the choir, led Methodist Youth Fellowship, and helped establish the Forty Fort Nursery School, serving as its director for several years.

Peggy devoted her life to nursing, especially caring for the elderly. She worked night shifts at local hospitals and nursing homes before joining United Methodist Homes at Wesley Village in 1978 as a Charge Nurse. She later became Director of Nursing, where she spent much of her career, and eventually Administrator of Personal Care. The care of the residents was her priority. Under her watchful eye, she ensured the staff also provided quality care. She played a key role in the growth of the retirement community and mentored many young women pursuing nursing. She retired in June 2004 after years of dedicated and compassionate service.

A gracious hostess, Peggy loved entertaining family and friends, especially around her beautifully set table with her excellent cooking and signature pies. She often reminded guests to “stop and look at the beautiful colors of food on your plates.” A lifelong lover of music, she sang in church choirs, played piano, and always had a song lyric for any occasion.

Margaret was preceded in death by parents Willard and Margaret Coleman Yates, her sister Ethel Locker, brothers-in-law Robert and Kenneth Locker and sister-in-law Lois Yates. She is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 40 years, John P. (Jack) Loefflad Jr., sister Shirley Locker, Pittston, brother Willard (Bill) Yates, Duryea, and sister-in-law Paulette Bent, Dallas. She was a devoted mother to Susan Dantona Jolley (J. Lee Plank, III), Dallas; William Dantona (Lilith Iversen), Chico, CA; Kristen Dantona Hill (Douglas Hill) Jermyn; stepchildren, John D. Loefflad (Heidi Hager), Luzerne and James T. Loefflad (Sylvia Veduvato) Dallas.

“Nana” to her ten grandchildren Derek Jolley, Dylan Jolley (May McGraw), James and Beatrice Dantona, Giada Hill, Tyler, Emma and Amanda Loefflad, Samantha (Thomas) Adams, Jim Loefflad, and two great-grandchildren Amelia and Thomas Adams, Peggy found her greatest joy in family. She was also a fun- loving aunt to her nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Partridge-Tippett Skilled Nursing Facility at Wesley Village, Julia Carey, PA, Shannon, Chris and the Hospice of the Sacred Heart team for their compassionate care.

The funeral service will be held Friday, May 1 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre, 97 S. Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre.

Friends may call at Metcalfe Shaver Kopcza Funeral Home, Inc., 504 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming on Thursday, April 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday morning at the church from 10 a.m. until the start of the service. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Carverton.

Church Parking is available at The Westmoreland Club. Enter from River Street or access through the main driveway on South Franklin St. Drive Straight, turn left behind the Club and then immediately turn right into the Lot. Proceed to the parking area down behind the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Margaret’s memory to UMH Wesley Village. Checks can be made payable to UMH Foundation, 10 Acre Place, Binghamton, NY 13904. Or by going online to https://www.unitedmethodisthomes.org/umh-foundation/