Mary A. Gaza

Mary (Adam) Gaza, 104, of Jefferson Hills, went to be with the Lord on March 24, 2015. Mary was born January 13, 1911, in the village of Petrovce, Slovakia. Mary arrived at Ellis Island at age 10 on Christmas Day where she saw Santa Clause and ate ice cream for the first time. She was preceded in death by parents John and Susan, husband Charles, son Dr. Dennis Gaza, and brothers John, Albert, and Mike Adam. Mary had many jobs throughout her life starting as a “Goose Girl” herding geese in Europe. Her formal education ending in eighth grade, but she attributed being able to read by reading “everything she could find” including newspapers and crosswords puzzles. Work began at age fourteen as a waitress and then manager, making funnel cakes for years at Kennywood, then went on to work in the accounting department at Duquesne US Steel, and being a “Rosie the Riveter” during WWII. Mary also babysat for everyone, and cooked at Barella’s Restaurant well through the age of 80. She loved her yard, gardening, planting flowers, and birds. She crocheted, did needlepoint, cooked, and baked for everyone selflessly. Mary had been active with the Ladies Auxiliary 885 Fire Hall, Soars Steel Workers Retirees, Ladies Crafts in Elrama, and was still dancing with the Peppy Steppers in Pleasant Hills through 2014. She was a member of Ascension of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church of Clairton. Mary was “Aunt Mamie” to nieces and nephews: David (Margie) Adam of Texas, Dale (Holly) Adam and Gene (Darlene) Adam, both of West Mifflin, John (Hope) Adam of Arizona, and MaryAnn (Ronald) Gentile, of Florida. Mary leaves behind cherished friends, including her “adopted family” who lovingly referred to her as “Grandma #3”: Marcia Unrath, Leslee, Rick, Lindsey and Jesse Hinkle. Friends will be received from 2P to 4P and 6P to 8P Sunday, March 29, 2015, at S M FINNEY FUNERAL HOME, 432 N 6th St, Clairton, PA 15025. Parastas will be held at the funeral home Monday, 12P noon, with Father Ivan Mina. She will be laid to rest at Jefferson Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in her honor to your favorite charity. Online condolences may be offered at www.finneyfuneralhome.com.

Service Information

Cemetery

Jefferson Memorial Park
401 Curry Hollow Road
Pittsburgh PA 15236

Visitation

Sunday, March 29 2015
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

S.M. Finney Funeral Home, Inc
432 N 6th Street
Clairton PA 15025

Visitation

Sunday, March 29 2015
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

S.M. Finney Funeral Home, Inc
432 N 6th Street
Clairton PA 15025

Service

Monday, March 30 2015
12:00 PM

S.M. Finney Funeral Home, Inc
432 N 6th Street
Clairton PA 15025

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