PITTSTON — A long-lasting institution in Pittston has a new name. The Pittston Active Adult Center (AAC) was rededicated Monday in memory of former Port Griffith resident, the late Linda Kohut. The center will now be called the Linda Kohut Pittston AAC.
A 1975 graduate of Pittston Area, Kohut passed away unexpectedly in August 2018 at the age of 61, having served the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Area on Aging aging for over 38 years. She was the director of community services for the Area on the Aging at the time of her death.
Her brother Frank “Butch” Kohut, who resided with her until the time of her death, was present for the ribbon cutting ceremony held in the hall of the new Linda Kohut Pittston AAC.
“I really enjoyed it and I’m happy it happened, but I wish she were still alive to see this,” Butch said of his sister. “She really enjoyed her job, so I’m very glad.”
Butch went on to say how his sister was his protector, but what he’ll remember the most is all the trips the two of them took over the decades.
Also present for the rededication was Mary Rozelle, Area on the Aging executive director who worked with Kohut for many years.
“Linda worked for our agency for over 38 years and she was an advocate to make sure programs continued at all the centers,” Rozelle said. “She worked tirelessly to make sure the seniors in our area received the services that they needed and today we decided we wanted to do something in her honor.”
Rozelle noted Kohut was a resident of Pittston and because she was every active in the community, the agency thought it would be a great opportunity to name the Pittston AAC in her honor.
Once the AAC board and county council agreed, Rozelle, along with Harley Bobby, AAC director of senior center services, informed the Pittston AAC senior center manager Joan Luksa of the decision.
“I received a call from Harley telling me we would be rededicating the center and Melody (Melody Bartusek, Pittston AAC assistant manager) and I were happy. We both worked with Linda and we knew her well,” Luksa said.
Kohut encouraged Luksa to take over the Pittston AAC upon the retirement of Connie Andrews Kokinda who was the center’s manager for many years. Luksa has been the manager for the last 18 months.
“I feel honored and Melody feels the same way,” Luksa said of the renaming of the center.
As part of the rededication and ribbon cutting, a plaque suitable for hanging will adorn the walls inside the center.
Three members of Luzerne County Council, Patrick Bilbow, Tim McGinley, and Harry Haas were present for the rededication as well as other employees from the Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne-Wyoming Counties.
“Her heart, even though she was on the administration side at the end, her heart was always on the senior centers, that’s what she loved and that’s what she really liked to do,” Rozelle concluded.