Mary M. Kodis

Mary M. (Rebochak) Kodis, 100, died December 10, 2016 at Windber Medical Center Hospice. Born November 10, 1916 in Dunmore, PA to Stephen and Elizabeth (Krivancin) Rebochak.  Preceded in death by her parents, husband of 69 years Charles, Sr., son Charles, Jr., and five siblings. Survived by daughters Merrily Swoboda, married to Jeff Lesak, Alum Bank, Elizabeth Kodis, Volcano, Hawai'i, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, sister Margaret Anzo, Cleveland, and other relatives.

A child of the Depression, Mary left Mine 42 for NYC alone at age 14. Arriving by train with little more than the clothes on her back, she began working as a waitress. She eventually wed Charlie and they had three children. Shortly after moving the family back to the Mine  42 area in 1950, Mary and her son Charlie Jr. discovered trout fishing. Fishing became a life-long passion and the thing to which she attributed her health and longevity. Her idea of heaven on earth was fishing the most remote parts of Clear Shade Creek alone or with her son or grandsons.

One of Mary's last wishes was to "keep my obituary short." Many in Windber knew her recently as the "little old lady" who, with her walker, portable oxygen, and indomitable spirit would regularly walk from her apartment in the Quemahoning Towers to the Windber Bi-Lo for "a few necessities" i.e. lottery tickets.

All in her family, and many friends, will long remember her loving devotion as a parent and grandparent, her skills as seamstress and needleworker, and in general, her strength, resilience, fearless independence, ahead-of-her- time feminism, and her captivating story-telling about her adventurous life.

Friends will be received from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at Meek & Dalla Valle Funeral Home, Inc., Windber.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 2201 Graham Ave., Windber.  Fr. Rod Soha, TOR, pastor.

 Service Information