Mary Kotowicz was born in 1907  in Lackawanna.  Her father Andrew Kotowicz was born in 1877 in Sambor, what is now the Ukraine and came to America at Age 12.  He worked as a shopkeeper.  Her mother Anna Marciszewski was born in 1873 in Piwnicnia, what was then Austria Poland.  She came to the US in 1889.  We believe they had five children.  
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During WWII, Mary ran a milling machine at the Chevrolet plant, served as an air raid warden, and supported Red Cross.  Later, she worked as a cook and as a clerk at Strohm’s bakery in South Park.    She was active in her church, Friendship House, the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, and worked the weekly bingo for many years.  She was the original food pusher, bringing rolls, salamis, and pierogies whenever she visited.  She cared deeply for her extended family as well as her fellow man.  She is also remembered for many sayings, such as, “Que sera sera” and “Get a job.  Earn a nickel.  Get a haircut.”  She lived at 53 Leland Drive for 63 years.
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John (Ivan) Melisz was born in 1898 in Konyukhy, what is now the Ukraine and was one of seven children.    He arrived in the US at age 16 and married Mary 10 years later in 1924.  John worked in a coal mine and steel mill, but found those jobs difficult on his health, and became a successful salesman for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.  John was known as a kind man, accepting of all people, and began life long friends with some of his customers.  He died Easter Sunday 1953.  ​