Mary Elias Obituary

Mary Beth Elias, 63, of Hazleton, passed away Thursday at her home surrounded by her loving family and close friends after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Hazleton, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Rentko) Fatula.

She received her double master's degree from King's and Capella University and was three credits away from getting her Ph.D. She taught at the Lackawanna Police Academy. She was a corporal at Kline Twp. and Ryan Twp. and was a police officer at Rush Twp. She worked alongside the drug taskforce, worked undercover and was an integral part of the HERD drug operation. Her full-time occupation was mental health professional for RHA Health Services, Wilkes-Barre.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, John Elias Sr., in 2006; and sister, Cynthia Elias.

Surviving are her son, John Elias Jr.; grandson, Aiden Elias and his mother, Brittnay Lopo; sister, Dawn Crockford and husband, Keith, Drums; godson and nephew, Brandon Crockford; niece, Jennifer Davis and husband, Adam; great-nephews, Brooks and Brady Davis; many cousins; and her beloved dog, Hemi.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in Good Shepherd Church, Drums. Her final call will be held after the Mass outside the church.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home, 229 W. 12th St., Hazleton.

Condolences may be sent at www.moranfuneralhome

.com.