Mary Semich

Semich, Mary, 90, passed away peacefully at her home in Parkhill , February 6, 2014.  Born September 20, 1923 in Davis, West Virginia. Daughter of Anton and Mary (Gabrenya) Zakrajsek.  Preceded in death by parents; sisters, Mildred Zakrajsek and Frances Greecher; brother, Tony Zakrajsek;  in-laws, Steve Greecher, Dorothy and Victor Dremely, Veda and Tony Shaffer, Jen and John Sefko, and Al Meglich.  Survived by loving husband of 64 years, Adolph Semich; children, Virginia, wife of James Hockensmith, Mineral Point; and Mary Jane, wife of Frank Battaglia, Latrobe; grandchildren, Katie (Matthew) Stormer, Emily and Laura Hockensmith;  Benjamin, Alex and Zachary Battaglia; great-grandchild, Natalie.  Also survived by brother, Henry Zakrajsek; brother-in-law, Ed Semich; sisters-in-law, Martha Meglich, Alverda Semich, Beverly Zakrajsek; and numerous nieces and nephews; and her two special caregivers, Laurie Cekada and Charlotte Muchler.  A graduate of Johnstown High School.  Mary worked as a secretary for Paxson Insurance Agency and then as a nurse’s aide at Conemaugh Memorial Hospital, where she took great pride in making each patient’s hospital stay as comfortable as possible.  A long-time member of The Church of the Transfiguration (formerly Sacred Heart Catholic Church) in Conemaugh, where she was a Eucharistic Minister for many years and also enjoyed making peroghies with the ladies and helping in the kitchen during church dinners.  She also enjoyed volunteer work at the Senior Center in Johnstown, where she helped to deliver Meals on Wheels with her husband and also prepared income tax returns for other seniors.  Mary loved her family and her home in Parkhill, which was built by her husband.  A lifelong member of the SNPJ. Mary was proud of her Slovenian heritage and had fond memories of her 1987 trip to Slovenia.  She enjoyed taking care of her flower gardens, sitting on the back porch watching hummingbirds in the summer with her husband, dancing the polka, cooking big meals for her family, and always being supportive of her family and friends in any way she could.  Friends will be received from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Baker Harris Funeral Chapel, Conemaugh.  Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at The Church of the Transfiguration, Conemaugh, Father Robert C. Hall, officiating.  Committal, Grandview Cemetery Mausoleum.  The family suggests memorial donations may be made to Windber Hospice in recognition of the compassionate care she received from their staff and volunteers during the past five months. (Online condolences may be posted to www.wharrisfuneralhome.com)