Caroleen Rishko, devoted wife, mother
In 1963, she met the love of her life, Richard Rishko, while dancing at the Castle Rock Dance Hall on a Saturday night in Allentown, Pa., at what is now Dorney Park. Richard and Kerry would continue their courtship and meet every Saturday, dancing to the likes of Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, and Frankie Valli, who would perform at the dance hall after appearing on American Bandstand in Philadelphia. Later that year, Richard joined the Navy and moved to California while Kerry worked as a hairdresser at Hess’s Department Store in Allentown. She waited faithfully for her love until he returned home in late 1965, and they got married soon after, Jan. 8, 1966. In February 1966, they drove across the country back to California, where they lived for a few years in San Leandro and Alameda before returning east to live in Egypt and Fullerton, Pa. They eventually settled on Coplay Lane in Whitehall (Hokendauqua), Pa., where they started and raised their family. In 1988, Richard and Kerry moved to South Carolina until their recent move to Lewes.
Early in their family life, Kerry was a fierce supporter of her children’s athletics and enjoyed attending games and taking care of all of her kids’ friends. She volunteered much of her time at places like St. Peter’s Catholic Church and Hokendauqua Little League. She cooked many meals and ran the house with a wooden spoon in her hand. She loved making ethnic foods, like holubki, pierogies, and Ukrainian holiday meals, and her good cooking will be missed. Kerry embraced the “Southern” lifestyle and looked forward to her work at Bob Capes Realtors and as an executive secretary for BCBS, where she met amazing people and made lifelong friendships. She was passionate about decorating and updating the different houses she lived in, and always kept a clean home. In addition to her family, she loved her Yorkshire Terrier dogs, who would always be sitting next to her, waiting for a treat. She enjoyed attending both of her children’s sporting events and going to dinners with close friends. She was never far from her next shopping excursion, always looking for her next pair of shoes. She spoiled her family with gifts and clothes that she wanted them to have. She loved traveling and seeing new places. She and her husband drove across the country twice and visited many places, including Alaska, New Orleans, and Russia.
One of Kerry’s greatest joys was spending time with her children and grandchildren at home or on family vacations. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Richard; two children, her son, John (Nelia) Rishko; and daughter, Kerryanne (Eric) Narvaez; and six grandchildren, Finbar Rishko, Ella Rishko, Lulu Rishko, Mairead Rishko, Gabrielle Narvaez and Evan Narvaez.
The family would like to thank Kerry’s dedicated South Carolina and Pennsylvania friends, along with her many dear cousins and aunts, who faithfully kept in touch and supported her throughout her life. They would also like to thank John’s Rehoboth “family,” who always included Kerry and Richard in their holiday and family events.
Services will be private for the convenience of the family.
Visit Caroleen’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
