Lillian "LoLo" Paternoster

Born in Hazleton, she was the only child of the late George and Anna Wassil and was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

She was 74 years young and was married for 56 years to her high school sweetheart, Paul J. Paternoster. They are the owners of Case and Keg Beverage, Hazleton. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her three daughters, Mrs. Melanie Gibale and her husband, Carl, Shavertown; Mrs. Jody Novitsky and her husband, Alan, New Providence, N.J.; and Paula Paternoster, Hazleton. She also has one granddaughter, Savannah Rea, Hazleton.

LoLo, as she had been known as a child, had a passion for life and displayed this passion in all her endeavors every day. She tirelessly fought for the rights of women and animals. Her philanthropic endeavors began in Miami, Fla., in 1958, when she was co-chairperson of a fundraiser held for the Miami Arthritis Foundation and had continued since.

She devoted countless hours toward the betterment of the Greater Hazleton area and belonged to a plethora of organizations, including Soroptomist International, where she was named its Woman of the Year in 1987; Easter Seals of Hazleton; Greater Hazleton Area Arts Council; Chamber of Commerce, where she served as the first and only female vice president; Luzerne-Wyoming County Economic Education Foundation; Economic Development Council of Northeast Pennsylvania; and an Advisory Board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters. She also devoted endless hours to the Women's Coalition of Greater Hazleton, was second vice president of the League of Women Voters, District IV Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Advisory Board, member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Hazleton Paramedic Unit and a member of the Women's Agenda of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Lolo served on the Luzerne County Board of the American Cancer Society, then developed the Hazleton Branch and served on its board. She was also a member of the Malt Beverage Distributors Association and a past board member of the Arthritis Foundation and CAN DO Inc.

She was a graduate of Hazleton High School, Class of 1953, and had since planned many fun-filled class reunions. She was also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Leadership Institiute and was a student of art education, one of her biggest passions in life. Just like life, she saw a canvas not as a blank page, but a page filled with many possibilities.

She took many continuing education couses at the Hazleton Campus of the Pennsylvania State University and was a voracious reader who considered herself a "lifelong learner." She was also very active in the Leadership Hazleton program and served on the advisory board of Lackawanna County Community College. She served as a member of the Women's Network of Wyoming Valley and was a committee member and participant in the Woman to Woman Conference held at the Hazleton Campus of Penn State University.

She was chairman for Auction 44, participated in a briefing in Washington, D.C., regarding the Contra-Aid situation with President Ronald Reagan and was the sole Pennsylvania participant in an Executive Women's Briefing on the Department of Energy. She had a fascination with politics and became involved on the local, state and national levels of political campaigns. She herself ran for register of wills and, along with her husband, Paul, were integral participants in the Holtzman for Congress campaign, Kanjorski for Congress campaign, Mark Singel senatorial and gubernatorial campaigns, Bill Clinton for President campaign and many others.

LoLo was a member of the steering committee for the YWCA's PEARL program. She served as chairman of the Talent Bank Project of the Women's Coalition of Hazleton, was a member of the "More Women's Candidates" Task Force of that Coalition and was a member of the United Way Communications Team. She was one of the charter members and one of the catalysts for the creation of the Luzerne County Commission for Women. LoLo met with national figures, such as First Lady Hillary Clinton and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, regarding women's role in politics and the goals of working toward having more qualified women appointed or nominated to policy-making positions throughout the area, state and country.

She was recognized for her myriad efforts and was the recipient of the first annual Athena Award, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Oldsmobile Division of General Motors, given to the woman judged to have achieved the highest level of professional accomplishment for 1986. In 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973, Mrs. Paternoster recieved the "Sword Award" for her contribution to the Miss Hope Program, and in 1977 the American Cancer Society presented a Family Award to the Paternosters for five years of service, the only one of its kind in Luzerne.

LoLo always told her family charity begins at home and taught her family that when one has many advantages, they also have the responsibility to help others. Many of her philanthropic endeavors materialized into family projects to the benefit of the community and her family as well. She received the Chamber of Commerce Civic Achievement Award in 1980 and 1982, and appreciation awards from Hazleton State General Hospital, Hazle Township Board of Supervisors, Hazleton Area Paramedic Unit, WQEQ Radio, Arts Council of Greater Hazleton, Hazleton Area Jaycees, Easter Seals Society, United Way, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers Big Sisters and many other organizations.

She never met a challenge she did not embrace, from breaking into the male-dominated beverage distributorship industry, to conquering a black double diamond ski slope! When she took over the family business, Case and Keg Beverage, in 1972, it was a dying concern. In less than two years, she and her husband, Paul, astonished everyone by showing substantial increases and expanding on the business. Due to their keen business acumen and their willingness to take risks, Case and Keg remains one of the most successful businesses in Hazleton today.

As vice chairman of community affairs for the Chamber of Commerce, she initiated the annual community celebration of Funfest, which continues today. LoLo, along with Mrs. Monica Barletta, Mrs. Jean Greco and Mrs. Nancy Super, were the creators of the Festival of Trees annual fundraiser to benefit Hazleton General Hospital.

She had a penchant for gambling and spent many exciting fun-filled hours in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. She also enjoyed shopping and taught her husband and children the art of finding a great sale! She enjoyed playing practical jokes and no one was safe around her, which made her a delight to spend time with.

Because of the special empathy and deep bond she felt with animals, in lieu of floral arrangements, the family has requested donations be made to the Luzerne County Valley Cat Rescue, the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA. Along with these organizations, donations to the American Cancer Society and the Hazleton Area Public Library would be most appreciated.

LoLo would want to be remembered and celebrated as an enthusiastic philanthropist who always saw the possibilities in life. If she was reading this now, she would say, "Do not grieve for me, celebrate life and think of the joy I have hopefully brought to your life."

The funeral will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. from Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc., 542-544 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton.

Interment will be held at the convenience of the family.

Friends and relatives may call on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Parastas will be held Thursday at 7 p.m.