Barbara Jaquish

Barbara Prevost Jaquish, 97, of Russell Hill passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at home. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Orin Jaquish in 2020.

Born on May 27, 1926 on Russell Hill, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Rachel (Bush) Prevost.

She attended the Goose Run School, a one room schoolhouse on Russell Hill. She was a member of the Tunkhannock High School Class of 1944 and was the last living member of that class. In 1948, she became a proud graduate of Penn State, where she obtained a degree in Physical Education and was a member of the Phi Mu fraternity. She was a physical education teacher at Laurelton State Village and Mount Aloysius College. She later obtained an Elementary Education Certificate from Slippery Rock College and taught in the Hollidaysburg and Lewisburg school systems. In retirement, she and her husband built and operated the Village Antique Mall on Russell Hill.

During her marriage she lived in 20 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, finally returning to Russell Hill to be near family where she and her husband built their home in retirement. Over the years, she transformed the property by building several freestanding and stone retaining walls up until the age of 90. She was also proud of relocating and restoring an 1840's barn on the property. When people would stop by her house, she was happy to invite them to stay for dinner. She was known as an excellent cook and baker. Her husband was very fond of her pies.

She was a member of the Russell Hill United Methodist Church, both as a young girl and when she returned to the area. She would often recite both proverbs and poems that she had learned in school and at church, finding meaning and solace in them throughout her life.

She is survived by her children, Linda, Virgina, William, Louis (Diane), and Rebecca (Rusty); sister, Carol Streater; six grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Angelique Harding, Cecilia Taylor, and Pauline Sands; brothers, Lester and Judson Prevost.

Family and friends are invited to attend Barbara's funeral service which will be held on Saturday March 16, 2024 at 11:00am from the Russell Hill United Methodist Church, 3 Prevost Rd. Tunkhannock, PA 18657 with Rev. Ronald Folk presiding. Interment will follow in Prevost Cemetery, Tunkhannock.

A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00am until the time of service on Saturday

Arrangements and care entrusted to Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, 73 W. Tioga St. Tunkhannock, PA 18657.