Mary Kay Price Bifano

Mary Kay Price Bifano, 62, of Carbondale, died after a brief illness, Saturday, August 15th at Geisinger South, Wilkes-Barre, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Carbondale, she was the daughter of the late William and Catherine “Kate” Casey Price. She was a member of Saint Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale.
She was a 1976 graduate of Carbondale Area High School; Mary Kay received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wilkes University in 1981 and her Master’s Degree as a Nurse Practitioner from Misericordia University in 1999.  While working to complete her nursing degree at Wilkes, Mary Kay also was a four-year letter winner for the Lady Colonels volleyball team and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.  In addition to her accolades as a member of the Lady Colonels, Mary Kay was also heavily involved in other athletic pursuits.  She coached both gymnastics and swimming at the Carbondale YMCA and competed in track and field during high school, setting a record for the discus throw in 1976 which still stands today.  Prior to retirement, she was employed as an elementary school nurse for the Western Wayne School District.  During her career, Mary Kay headed numerous programs to benefit the children and families with whom she worked.  She volunteered for Wayne County Safe Kids, organized Christmas collections for needy families, and was a great advocate for the children.  Mary Kay was a member of the Carbondale Shade Tree Commission, helping to beautify her hometown and volunteered with the Home Town Heroes Banner project to nominate all Casey and Price veterans.  She enjoyed camping, swimming, and restoring her grandmother’s house back to its original glory.  During her retirement, she enjoyed traveling and took many trips with family across the United States, Alaska, and a 3 week trip to Ireland.  She enjoyed baking and was known for the exorbitant amount of Christmas cookies she would bake each year and deliver to family and friends.

The family would like to give their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Residential Hospice at Geisinger South for the compassionate care they provided Mary Kay in her final days.

Surviving are a daughter: Katie Bifano Rakaczewski and husband Martin, Kutztown; five brothers: William Price, Carbondale and Malaysia; Joseph Price, Vancouver, WA; Thomas Price and wife Mary Jo, Greenfield Twp.; James Price and wife Doree, Oxford, CT; Russell Price, West Bloomfield, MI; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is also survived by her beloved Goldendoodle, Bella, who accompanied her during her camping and hiking excursions.  Although Mary Kay will not physically be present for the birth of her upcoming granddaughter in October, we know she will be looking down from Heaven and will always be a part of her life.

The funeral will be Thursday, August 20th  with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in Saint Rose of Lima Church, Carbondale.  Interment will be at the convenience of the family.  The public is reminded that social distancing and face coverings are required.  Arrangements by the Brennan & Brennan Funeral Home, Inc., 55 Lincoln Avenue, Carbondale.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org/donate) or the American Stroke Association (stroke.org/donate).

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