Margaret M. Reinert

          Margaret M. Reinert, 92, Shavertown, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. A loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and neighbor, Margaret was born in Wilkes-Barre, the daughter of the late Ambrose Charles and Virginia Gilligan Simonson. She was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School, Wilkes-Barre, attended Kings College, and earned a realtor’s license.

         While being a wife and mother was her true calling, Margaret also worked at Faith Shoe Company in Wilkes-Barre and was a real estate sales agent for C.A. Leighton. She found special joy in her final formal job at the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus, proudly making sandwiches and her legendary homemade soups for students and staff alike.

Margaret was an active and engaged member of her church and community. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Therese’s Church in Shavertown, a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, and a Eucharistic Minister. Margaret belonged to the Sponsa Regis of King’s College and a was charter member of the Luzerne County Lawyers’ Wives Association. In addition, Margaret volunteered at numerous wrestling tournaments with the Bishop O’Reilly Mother’s Club, the Back Mountain Wrestling Club, and the Lake-Lehman Junior High School wrestling team. She was a member of the Rotary Ann’s Womens Group of The Rotary Club of Dallas and was a Paul Harris Award recipient. Margaret was active with the Back Mountain Food Pantry, and for many years delivered Meals on Wheels. In addition, Margaret was the first female commodore of the Harvey’s Lake Yacht Club, lovingly known as the “Commadorable.”

          Selfless, with a heart of gold, showing kindness and grace to family, friends, and strangers alike, Margaret lived by the motto “He who enters here is a stranger but once.” Margaret’s heart, home, and kitchen were always open. During the 1972 Agnes Flood, for example, Margaret shared her home with dozens of displaced friends from Wyoming Valley. And numerous nieces, nephews, and friends of her sons spent countless days and nights swimming and eating Margaret’s “magically” prepared snacks and meals.

          Margaret’s greatest joys were found in the time spent with her loving family - attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and performing arts events for over half a century. Margaret was especially blessed when she was with loved ones at the family pool, at Harvey’s Lake, and in her favorite vacation spot - Cape May, NJ.

          Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Attorney James M. Reinert, in 2013; sisters, Catherine Fadden and Mary and Elizabeth Simonson; and brothers, Charles, Robert, and Eugene Simonson. Surviving are her sons, William Reinert, Dallas and his fiancé Barbara; James Reinert and his wife Peggy, Kirkwood, MO; Paul Reinert and his wife Kimberly, Dallas; Philip Reinert and his wife Tania, Trucksville; and Matthew Reinert and his wife Becky, Shavertown; sisters, Barbara Schonk and Virginia Mazza (Dr. Joseph), and numerous nieces and nephews. Margaret is also survived by 15 grandchildren and four great grandchildren whom she loved – and who loved her - dearly.

          Margaret’s family expresses sincere gratitude to Dr. Lanning Anselmi and his staff, Dr. Juan DeRojas and his staff, the staff at Mercy Center, and Dr. Ibrahim Almeky and the staff of Third Avenue Health and Rehab (formerly Kingston Health Care Center). Heartfelt thanks are extended to the wonderful and caring folks that befriended Margaret while she was a resident at Third Avenue Health and Rehab. In addition, special gratitude is extended to family friend, JoAnn Prohaska, and Reverend James Paisley for comforting Margaret in her final hours.    

       Friends may call Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM and Monday, August 7, 2023, from 9:00-10:30 AM at The Richard H. Disque Funeral Home, Inc., 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 11:00 AM from St. Therese’s Church, Pioneer Ave, Shavertown. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Twp.

        Donations if desired may be made to the Back Mountain Food Pantry, 40 Knob Hill Road Trucksville, PA. Condolences may be made to Disquefuneralhome.com.