Dorothy (Verespy) Hicks-Malast

Dorothy M. Hick - Malast, 83, of Avoca, formerly of Mountain Top, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2023 at Smith Health Care Nursing Home.

Born in Wilkes Barre on February 24, 1940, she was the daughter of the late George and Annette Verespy.  Dorothy was a 1958 graduate of Coughlin High School and worked for many years at R.C.A./Harris in Mountain Top where she made many special and lasting friendships.  

Dottie, as her friends affectionally called her, enjoyed spending time with family and going out with friends.  She loved movies (especially the Harry Potter series), watching Penn State football, trips with family to Atlantic City, Disney World, along with spending time in the Poconos for dinners, fishing, antiquing, and a few visits to Mohegan Sun with her husband Joe and having a meal afterwards at D’s Diner. Dottie loved her pets, but Cocoa and Abbey had a special place in her heart, and she always enjoyed pet sitting for her “grand fur babies” as she called them.  But what Grammy really loved was spending time with her granddaughter with their special bond from pinky promises to college stories and everything in between.  

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her late husband Thomas J. Hick, brother Charles Verespy, sister Lorraine Ancin, and sister in-law Marie Verespy.  

She is survived by her husband Joseph Malast, son Charles Hick and companion Megan McNulty of Mountain Top, son David Hick and wife Beckey of Middleburg, daughter Nancy Lewandowski and husband Jim of Mountain Top, and the light of her life, granddaughter Katherine Lewandowski (aka “pumpkin”).  In addition, she is also survived by brother George Verespy, Venice, Florida, brother Robert Verespy, Exeter, and niece Annemarie Hellevik.  

The family would like to say a special thank you to Smith Health Care and the staff for the care and compassion given to Dottie. 

Her children and granddaughter want to say, Thank You Mom (Grammy) for everything you did for us through the years.  We appreciated you and love you beyond words. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kniffen O’Malley Leffler Funeral Home, 465 S Main Street, Wilkes Barre.  Funeral services will be private to family and close friends on Friday, September 8, with a visitation for one hour beginning at 9:00 AM before the service.  Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hanover Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either MMI Preparatory School “Scholarship Fund” in Freeland or Luzerne County S.P.C.A. 

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