Anna (Yemzow) Grover, 95, formerly of Shickshinny passed away on Monday, November 14, 2016 at Bonham Nursing Center, Stillwater, where she had been residing. Prior to living at Bonham’s, she was residing with Vince Redmond and Lori Madl, who had been caring for her since she left the high-rise in Shickshinny. She thought of and loved Loris as if she was her own granddaughter.
Born, at home in Shickshinny, on January 29, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Stella (Puchalaski) and Michael Yemzow. She attended Shickshinny High School, but left her senior year to marry Stanley Antonaitis in 1939. The couple had a son, Stanley Antonaitis of Milton; and a daughter, Sally Ann Kowalski of Corning, NY.
She later married Clarence “Pete” Grover on July 26, 1952. Together the couple owned and ran G&W Lunch Room, where they served hamburgers and coffee, and sold newspapers, and cigarettes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After Pete died on Oct. 30, 1968, Anna continued to run the lunchroom by herself until the Agnes Flood forced her to sell in 1972. A year later, she threw a party in her backyard for 3,000 former customers and employees.
In 1981, she knocked on every door in Shickshinny to gain enough votes to become the first female mayor of the borough. She served in that office from 1982 to 1986.
Along with her sister, Jennie Wolfe and a friend, Jennie Rider, she founded the Shickshinny Volunteer Fire Co Auxiliary, after her sister’s home caught fire. The three women went to the fire hall to make coffee for the firefighters that morning to thank them for battling the blaze all night and saving the house. Afterward, they went to make coffee and sandwiches every time the whistle blew.
Anna was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church, and a life member of the Shickshinny Chapter 190 Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as treasurer for 18 years. She was a life member of the White Shrine 39 of the Rugged Cross of Jerusalem; VFW 6434, Mocanaqua; Irem Temple Women’s Auxiliary; and the Berwick Moose. She was an Auxiliary member of Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, where she volunteered in the cafeteria. She was also a dedicated volunteer to anyone who needed help. Even in her 80’s, any time someone needed a ride, Anna would offer to drive them. “I’m a people person,” she would always say.
She was the last member of her immediate family, preceded in death by five brothers: Michael, Kolo, Alexander, Joseph, and John Yemzow; and a sister, Jennie Wolfe.
In addition to her children, she is survived by 4 grandchildren: Monna Rarig, Janene Curtis, Vincent Redmond, and Anthony Cieplik; great grandchildren: Brandon, Jearek, Tasia, Cord, Brie, Curtis, Rochelle, Emily, Angela, Ashley, Marissa, Roslynn; one great-great granddaughter, Quinn; and several nieces and nephews including Bonnie Kishbaugh and Barbara Jean Yustat, who she treated like her own daughters after their mother passed away.
Online messages of comfort can be sent to condolences@hellerfuneral.com