Bernardine (Debbie) Hughes — a beautiful and pure soul — 85 of Duryea, passed away at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dunmore, with her granddaughter by her side on Monday, March 10, 2025. She was born on October 31, 1939, in Plains, Bernardine was the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Kasaba. She worked with her siblings on a farm as a young child. She attended Plains High School followed by a job at the Bundle of Joy in Wilkes-Barre. Bernardine had a brief modeling career for her favorite store—Pomeroys, later known as Bon-Ton.

Bernardine was a faithful Catholic, a parishioner of Nativity of our Lord Parish in Duryea. In addition to her parents, Bernardine was preceded in death by her daughter, Janet Sebastianelli, her sister Joan Chismar and husband Joseph, her sister Irene Pachucki and husband Donald, her brother Raymond Kasaba and wife Kitty.

Surviving is her husband, who was her primary caretaker and by her side 24/7 in her final days, Robert Hughes (married on June 15, 1966), her son Joseph Tarantini, wife JoAnne, Harding, her daughter Debra Hughes, Duryea, her daughter Donna Caswell, husband Bill, Duryea, her son-in-law Joseph Sebastianelli, Pittston, and her sister Jenny (Genevieve) Kasaba, Plains. Additionally, surviving is her grandchildren Joseph, Louis, Christina, Michael, Daniel, AJ, Robert, Kyle, Catherine, Kayla, Billy Jr., and her beloved dog Goldie. Bernardine had many nieces and nephews, and she had multiple great grandchildren who she loved very much. She is also survived by her confidant and partner-in-crime, Linda Astolfi of 52 years. Their friendship meant the world to Bernardine.

Bernardine was a cancer survivor. She lived a very happy life. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and she loved her family more than anything. She was described as their biggest fan and the family cheerleader. She was a natural mother, protector, and would do anything for her babies. If you needed a boost of confidence, a hug or just some extra lovin’, you just had to visit Bernardine. She loved word searches, lottery tickets, and an occasional trip to the casino. She promised if she ever won, she would give it to her family – taking no money for herself. That was Bernardine—selfless, loving, and caring to the very end.

The family would like to thank her compassionate nurses, Lori and Brianna Smoke, her personal nurse, granddaughter Catherine Caswell, who stayed with her 24/7, Dr. and Mrs. Fasciana and staff, Chief Jamie Merlino and the volunteers at Hughestown Hose Company, and Father Mike at Nativity of Our Lord Parish.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2024, at 9:30 am in Nativity of Our Lord Parish, 128 Stephenson Street, Duryea with the Rev. Michael Bryant officiating. Interment will be in West Pittston Cemetery, West Pittson. A viewing will be held on Friday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main Street, Duryea. Family and friends are asked to go directly to the church the morning of the funeral. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Hughestown Hose Company, 30 Center Street, Hughestown, PA 18640. Arrangements are by the Bernard J. Piontek Funeral Home Inc., 204 Main Street, Duryea. To leave an online condolence for Bernardine's family, please visit the funeral home website, www.piontekfuneralhome.com.

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