Rita Joy Hurney

OBITUARY

Rita Joy Hurney, 88, of Scranton, died Tuesday, April 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at home. She was born in Scranton, PA on November 12, 1937 to Edward and Nell Mench. She was proceeded in death by her husband of 57 years, Edward L. Hurney, Jr. of Throop. She leaves behind her daughter Suzette Anne Kukucka and her husband Michael G. Kukucka and her granddaughter Jennifer M. Kukucka (Age 29) and other daughter Amy Kathleen Bedford and her two grandchildren Paul Wayne Bedford Jr. (Age 20) and Sarah Marie Bedford (Age 16).

Rita was born in Scranton where she lived until she met her husband, Ed. Once they were married they decided to move to Los Angeles, California to try and build a life and a family. They lived in Chatsworth, CA a suburb of Los Angeles for many years and this is where they started their family. Once their children were grown there was a huge earthquake in 1994 that urged them to move back home to Scranton. Their daughter Amy also moved with them and met her husband Paul and they started their family there. Suzy had just been married to Mike a year before so they stayed behind to start a family in California.

Rita lost her family early in life. Her father died before she was married and her mother and sister died later. But she was a fighter! In her early 50’s she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer and the doctors told her there was nothing they could do for her. She found an experimental treatment called Purple Stem Cell and she fought and fought until she was cancer free and remained that way for 40 years. She credits the impending birth of her granddaughter Jennifer for giving her the strength to fight through cancer.

One of her greatest qualities was that she was very kind and always lent a helping hand to anyone in need. She loved being involved in her daughters school activities. She always worked in the library or cafeteria and loved to create crafts to sell at their school functions. She couldn’t wait to be a grandmother and she was wonderful at that and very close to all of her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

There will be a viewing from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Monday, April 13, 2026, at the John F. Glinsky Funeral Home Inc., 445 Sanderson Street, Throop, PA. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home. She will be interred at Dunmore Cemetery, 400 Church Street, Dunmore.

Please visit the funeral home website to leave condolences.

Rita Joy Hurney

April 9, 2026