Mary B (Brenzovich) Chelena

Daughter of Alex & Helena (Chuma) Brenzovich. Born 10 Sep 1911 in Webster, Westmoreland County Pennsylvania; and died 11 Oct 1996 in Bradenton, Manatee County Flordia. She married Michael Chelena in November 1939 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania and they had one child. Mary is buried in the St Nicholas Greek Catholic Church Cemetery, Brownsville, Fayette County Pennsylvania.

Mary was instrumental in raising funds for the World War II memorial honor roll that was erected in Fredericktown, Washington County Pennsylvania. She was a past president of the St Nicholas Greek Catholic Church Ladies Guild in Brownsville. She worked as a housekeeper at the St Theresa Byzantine Catholic Church clergy residence in St Petersburg Flordia.

According to the naturaliation document for Mary's father, he listed "Ellamine" as Mary's birth place. In my research I found a coal mine called "Ella Mine". The mine was located in Rostraver Township, Westmoreland County Pennsylvania on the Pittsuburgh & Erie Railroad, that ran parallel with the Monogahela River seperating Westmoreland and Washington Counties. Webster was also located in the same vicinity. The mine was owned by the Ella Coal Company, Pitsubrgh PA (ca. 1892 - ?). Apparently Alex was working or living near the Ella Mine when Mary, their first child to be born in the United States, was born. As a side note, there is some doucumentation indicating that Mary was born in Donora which is located in Washington County and just across the Monogahela River from Webster.