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August 16, 2007
Mary Kay Best, 72, of West Pittston, went home to Jesus on Thursday, August 16, 2007, at Hospice in Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre after battling heart disease. In August of 2006, she went into cardiac arrest and was brought back to us by the Grace of St. Ann.
A graduate of West Pittston High School, class of 1952, and Pittston Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1955, she attended Delaware State College, completing a major in psychology and Wilkes College, graduating in 1970 with a B.S. in nursing education.
She attended Marywood University as a psychology major, and completed a M.S. degree in education from Elmira College, N.Y., in 1976. She attended the University of Arizona, completing a M.S. in psychiatric-mental health nursing, with a nursing administration minor in 1982.
She was certified by the American Nurses Association in nursing administration and had served five years as editor of the A.N.A. publication Pacesetter. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honorary Society.
Mary Kay was a recipient of a variety of awards related to VA service. She received a Special Contributions Award in 1987; two in 1989, 1990 and 1991; she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation in 1990 and 1991. Medical Centers awarded her a Directors Commendation in 1991 and 1992, and she had received a volunteer service award each year since 1987 for her support and work for the United Way.
After retiring from the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, she worked for different visiting nurse organizations as a psych/mental health nurse. Prior to returning to her family home in 1994, she served as chief nurse of the Fort Wayne, Indiana, VA Hospital.
Mary Kay was an active participant in her community. She was president of the Northeastern Big Band Society from 2002 to 2007, and she attended the Italian-American Society, St. Anthony’s, and German Club dances. She also belonged to USABDA and was seen dancing on television.
Mary Kay was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mary Best, and brother William Best, all of West Pittston.
Mary Kay leaves two children, her devoted daughter, Kathleen McGinnis, of West Pittston, with whom she resided; her son, Donald B. McGinnis, of Warren, Michigan; her loving sister and brothers, Helen Kozloski, Jenkins Township, and Thomas Best, Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., and Lee Best of Kissimmee, Fla.; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral will be held at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday from the Anthony Recupero Funeral Home, 406 Susquehanna Ave., West Pittston, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Ann’s Basilica, Scranton.
Interment will be in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton. Friends may call on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m.