Mary T. Gulvas

Mary T. Gulvas, 83, of Jim Thorpe, PA  passed away peacefully on June 7th after a lengthy illness in her home.

Born on August 3,1939, to George and Mary Gulvas (Siskavitch) of Kingston., PA.  Mary contracted spinal meningitis at 18 months old and had to relearn to walk and talk.

At the age of 16, Mary spent several months in a convent in Brockton, MA. An eye for the butcher at the convent  while trying to be a novice, led her back to Kingston High School where she graduated in 1957.

Mary married Joseph LaBatch of Kingston and had four children, Lawrence, Lisa, Joseph who died at childbirth, and Derek. She was also married to Ted Hall from Little Silver, NJ. She was engaged to Ron Smee  of New Jersey, prior to his passing in Feb of 1995. 

Having spent most of her life in the Long Branch, New Jersey area, Mary pursued her passion for interior design by studying at the New York School for Design. She put her talents to great use at Ethan Allen in Eatontown, NJ, Middletown NJ Interiors and Wayne Lehrman Design Group. She had a keen eye in design for color and unique furniture. Mary was a lady of style.

Mary liked a good vodka, the New Jersey shore, traveling various parts of the world, guitar music and Netflix movies. Those of us who knew her, knew that her sense of humor remained in tack until her passing.

Mary is survived by her children, Lawrence LaBatch of Lehighton (Dawn Roberts), Lisa LaBatch/Lisann Szerlip of Jim Thorpe, PA  with whom she resided and Derek LaBatch, Toms River, NJ ( Gretchen Brant)), her grandchildren, Joshua LaBatch  (Amanda Pope) ), Savannah Georgia,  Cole and Heidi LaBatch, Toms River. NJ. a step grandson, Matthew of New Jersey and two great step grandchildren, Grayson and Ella in Georgia and a great grandchild due in November. Mary is also survived by her sisters, Barbara Nalesnik, ( Bernard Nalesnik- deceased 2014), Wake Forest, NC and Gloria Bowman of Lehighton, friend Jay Barthel, Lehighton, several nephews and nieces and close friends. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Anthony Benetsky, George R. Gulvas and son Joseph LaBatch.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lehighton Ambulance, www.lehightonambulance.org (donate);  Family Pillars Hospice, 3910 Adler Place, Bethlehem, PA 18017; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.st.jude.org (donate). Mass or sympathy cards can be mailed to Lisa Szerlip, 191 Mountain View Drive., Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. Online condolences offered at www.ovsakfh.com. The family would like to thank Family Pillars Hospice for their excellent care for Mary.

Funeral service will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023 at the Andrew Ovsak Funeral Home,  4th and Iron Streets, Lehighton with the Rev. Ronald J. Minner officiating.. Calling hours 8:30-10:00 AM; Service at 10 AM.  Private interment following service at St. Mary’s  Annunciation Lithuanian Cemetery, Pringle, Pa  where her parents, brother Anthony and son Joseph are buried. A luncheon will follow interment. Another Christian Memorial service will be announced at a later date that will be held at St. Joe’s Church  in Jim Thorpe, PA 18229.

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