Elaine A. Pavidus, RN, 88, of Exeter, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Allied Services Hospice Center in Wilkes-Barre, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Kingston on November 27, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Adella (Karlunis) Zavada.

Elaine dedicated her life to the care of others as a Registered Nurse. She retired from Mercy Hospital in Wilkes-Barre after many years of dedicated, compassionate service. Reflecting her commitment to her community, she was also a former member of the Exeter Ambulance Association.

A woman of deep faith, Elaine was a devoted Catholic and a member of St. Anthony of Padua Church of Corpus Christi Parish in Exeter.

Beyond her nursing career, Elaine found great happiness in the simple pleasures of life. She loved tending to her beautiful flower gardens, solving cryptoquip puzzles and watching Hallmark movies. As an exceptionally talented and self-taught baker, she will lovingly be remembered by family and friends for her beautifully decorated custom cakes that became the centerpiece of countless birthdays, weddings, and family celebrations. Through these creations, she shared love and brought lasting joy to those around her.

In addition to her parents, Elaine was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, John J. Pavidus; her infant grandchildren, Laura Pavidus and Joseph Shrey; and her sisters, Jo Ann Valenti and Bernice Kenderes.

Surviving are her daughters, Maureen Dovin (Robert); Andrea Kyttle (Thomas); Jo Ellen Turner (Gerald); her son, John Michael Pavidus (Cindy). She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Brian Dovin, Eric Dovin, Valerie Shrey (Zackery), Robert Shrey (Kimberly), Justina Kleman (Kyle), Jon Tyler Pavidus, and Ryan Pavidus; and seven great-grandchildren.

Elaine leaves behind her loving sisters: Marion Rubino (Joseph), Martha Zavada Wojcik, and Adelle Zavada Pennartz; sister-in-law, Mary Darling; brother-in-law, Joseph Pavidus (Burma); her best friend, Mary Grochowski; and dear longtime friends, Amy Tucker and Kathy Stevens, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

The Pavidus family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the ICU staff at Geisinger Wyoming Valley (GWV) and the compassionate team at Allied Hospice on Meade Street in Wilkes-Barre. They send a very special thank you to her dedicated caregiver, Jocelyn Williams, for the exceptional and tender care she provided to Elaine at home.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Elaine’s services which will begin with a viewing on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 9 to 10:15 A.M. at the Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 A.M. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, of Corpus Christi Parish, 224 Memorial St., Exeter, with the Rev. Paul McDonnell, O.S.J., officiating.

Interment will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Cedar St., Exeter.

Memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Parish, Social Concerns Committee, 605 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston, PA 18643.

To share a memory or a message of condolence with Elaine’s family, visit www.bednarskifuneralhome.com