Carol Ann Yankovich, 78, of Clifford Township, PA, died suddenly on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at home. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Stephen Yankovich, Sr. on October 7, 2022.

Born January 18, 1946 in Carbondale, PA, she was the daughter of the late George and Marion Roche Wood and the step daughter of the late Paul M. Wilson.

Carol Ann was a 1963 graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School, Carbondale. She also graduated from beauty school, the Scranton State School for Nursing as a certified nurse's aide and the Pennsylvania Business Institute of Scranton. She had been employed as a car contract driver for students that resided in the Mountain View School District for 17 years. She was a member of St. John's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, Mayfield, PA. Carol also had the honor of being Mrs. Claus for a number of years at the Clifford Township Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

Carol had a true zest for life, and a color coordinated outfit for any occasion with accessories to match. She loved going on cruises and traveling to NYC when she had the chance. Though she was a woman of class and style, she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty to take on tough work. She had started work as a waitress and nurse's aide in her teens and worked on the family farm when she married her husband. Carol had endured a lot of hardship and tragedy throughout her entire life, but she would not let these moments defeat or define her. She continued to hold her head up high and firmly believed that our lord and savior Jesus Christ would guide her through them.

Carol truly loved her children more than anything else in the world, and there's nothing she wouldn't have done for them. When her first daughter, Jaime Lyn, was born, she would visit with Jaime Lyn every single day that she had to be at St. Joseph's Center. Carol also deeply cared for her son Stephen and daughter Pavi-Elle and would protect them at all costs. Even if that meant she had to kick some ass while doing it.

She is survived by two children: Stephen Peter Yankovich of Clifford Township, PA, and Pavi-Elle (Yankovich) Morris and husband, Patrick of Kenosha, WI; a granddaughter: Mila Morris; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by a daughter: Jaime Lyn Yankovich; two brothers: Francis and infant George Wood; two sisters: Rosemarie Stranieri and Linda Rollison; and a nephew: Thomas C. Hosie.

A Requiem service was held Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. from St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 706 Hill Street, Mayfield, PA, with Very Reverend Mitred Archpriest John Sorochka, officiating. Interment, parish cemetery, Mayfield, PA.

Pallbearers: Stephen Yankovich, Patrick Morris, Robert Bell, Richard Meloni, Carmen Stranieri and J. Bell.

Viewing hours were held Wednesday, August 7, 2024 from 6-8 p.m. at Carmine J. & Louis C. Parise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 89 Farview Street, Carbondale, PA. Parastas took place at 7:00 p.m.

lieu of flowers, donations were made in Carol's name to the St. Joseph's Center Foundation: 2010 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509