Mary (Zenewicz) Payne

Mary Ann “Cookie” Payne, 84, of Browndale passed away peacefully on Thursday September 5, 2019 at the Forest City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Cookie was married to Paul Payne, also of Browndale and her first husband, the late Robert Kleinbauer who passed away in 1999.

Born November 8, 1934 in Forest City, Cookie was the daughter of the late Peter and Mary Meheltz Zenewicz. Prior to retirement, Cookie lived in Vestal New York, raised a family and worked at General Electric for more than 15 years. She moved back to Forest City after retiring and opened a small bed and breakfast in Uniondale, near Elk Mountain. She was member of Ascension Parish, Forest City and participated in various civic organizations in the Forest City area, including the local Historical Society. Cookie loved her family and friends, dancing and living in northeastern Pennsylvania. She made friends wherever she went.

She is survived by two sons, Robert C. Kleinbauer, Jr. and his wife Kassie, Mechanicville, NY and Richard A. Kleinbauer and his wife Joan, Boyton Beach, FL; three grandchildren Julianne Chapman, Andrea Kleinbauer and Lindsey Rose Kleinbauer and great grandson Joseph Chapman and several nieces and nephews.

Cookie is survived by her husband Paul Payne and his four children, Paul Jr (Barbara), Tom (Danielle), Dan, Jennifer (Gene) and grandchildren; David, Thomas, James, Steven, John, Alex, Mike, Anne, Colin and Taylor.

She was preceded in death by her two sisters Rita Dottle and Betty Lowry.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 10 am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City. Interment to follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 until Mass time.

Cremation services are through the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City.

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