Mary (Bitsko) Cortese, 90, of Lincoln Park NJ, entered into eternal rest on Saturday at Chilton Medical Center, Pompton Plains NJ.  She was the wife of the late Edward Cortese, who preceded her in death in 2001.  Born in the Seek section of Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Helen (Zelinka) Bitsko.  She lived most of her life in the Lincoln Park NJ area, raising her family there.  Mary was a very social person who loved to cook; she was of the Byzantine Catholic Faith and was active in church affairs at the Church of the Resurrection in Smithtown, Long Island NY, where her brother served as priest for many years.  Surviving is a son Louis and wife Julia of Towaco NJ, daughters Jean Ellen Cortese of Lincoln Park NJ, Carol Ann, wife of Arne Andersen of Lillehammer, Norway, brothers Nicolas Bitsko and wife Ruth of New Britain PA, Father Daniel Bitsko of New Britain PA, a sister Helen, wife of John Kochaba of Delaware, grandchildren Damian Loverro, Joshua Harrison, Lily Cortese, Nikolai Singh, Venanzio Cortese, Mischa Singh,  and a great granddaughter Freya Harrison.  She was preceded in death by a daughter Vincentine Singh and brothers Michael, John, Frank, Steve and Andrew.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 17th at 10:00 a.m. from the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 West Center St., Nesquehoning PA 18240, followed by a Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. at Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church 116 East Bertsch St., Lansford PA, with the Rev.Vasyl Chepelskyy Officiating.  Internment will be held at Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Summit Hill.  A calling hour will be held on Saturday at the Funeral Home from 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Online condolences may be made at www.nalesnikfh.com.  Services and arrangements are being provided by the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home 57 West Center St., Nesquehoning PA  18240