Mary J. Lechnar Stossel, born April 10, 1924, died August 27, 2006; last residence, Fayette County, Pa. Her gravestone is found online: St. Joseph RC Cemetery, Hopwood, Pa. Her husband, Frank Stossel, a former coal miner and veteran of WWII, died in April 1981. Their daughter, Kathy, also became a nurse.

OBITUARY: Herald-Standard: Mary J. Lechnar Stossel, R.N., 82, of Uniontown, Pa., peacefully slept into eternity on Sunday, August 27, 2006 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law. Mary was born on April 10, 1924 in Uniontown at the Vernon Street home of her parents, Jacob and Josephine (Letki) Lecznar. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded by her husband Frank J. Stossel (1981); brothers: Joseph S. and Jacob W. (Jack) and sisters: Anna Lechnar (infant) and Helen M. Light; Brother-in-law, Romie C. Light and maternal grandparents Marianna (Pelc) and Stanislaus Letki. - Cherishing Mary's memory are her daughter Kathy (Frank) Korona of Uniontown and her grandson F. Adam of Kemah, Texas and his fianc? Sarah A. Kazukiewicz; as well as special friends and family. Surviving are brothers, Frank (Virginia) Lechnar of Uniontown, John M. Lechnar of Gibraltar, Michigan and Dr. Michael J. Lechnar (Pamela) of State College, Pa.; Sister, Dr. Catherine F. Fike (William) of Ruffs Dale; sisters-in-law Rita Cazale' Lechnar (Uniontown) and Gerardine Beaudoin Lechnar (Michigan) as well as many nieces and nephews. - Following graduation from South Union High School in 1942, Mary enrolled at St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Pittsburgh and received her diploma in August 1945. From September 1945 to June 1946, Mary worked as an RN at the Municipal Hospital in Pittsburgh, which specialized in communicable disease treatments. Next she and St. Francis classmate "Lolly" went to Dallas, Texas where Mary worked at the Methodist University Hospital for the rest of 1946. Mary then returned to PA for general duty nursing at Uniontown Hospital. On July 7, 1947 Mary married Frank Stossel and the following year Kathy was born. In 1950, Mary began her private duty career, receiving assignments from the Uniontown Professional Nurses Registry. Her skills and compassionate care were well known and she was privileged to care for several notable figures in the history of Uniontown. In 1966 she was founder of the local chapter of the Catholic Nurses of the Greensburg Diocese. Mary successfully completed the National Accreditation Examination of the AMRA entitling her to be titled ART, Accredited (Medical) Record Technician. Between 1969 and 1989 Mary was Director of Medical Records at the Uniontown Hospital. She also served as a consultant to Mt. St. Macrina Manor, Henry Clay Villa, Fazio Nursing Home, Laurel Rest Home and Albert Gallatin Visiting Nurses Association. In her retirement, Mary was an active member of the Secular Order of Franciscans. - Mary's Family thanks the staff of the Washington, PA office of MediHome Hospice who, for over two years, gave the same kind of respectful dignified care that Mary gave to many terminally ill patients. Twin Oaks Home Care, owned and guided by long-time hospice nurse and family friend, Jim Dice, is also recognized for care exceeding expectations. - Friends and relatives will be received in the STEPHEN E. KEZMARSKY III FUNERAL HOME AT 71 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, UNIONTOWN, PA on Friday, September 1, 2006, from 3 to 9 p.m. Friends and relatives are asked to go directly to the Church on Saturday, September 2, 2006, when a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Therese de Lisieux Church, Uniontown. Mary's nephew, the Rev. Father William J. Lechnar (son of Mary's deceased brother Joe) will be celebrant and the Rev. Father Kenneth G. Zaccagnini, V. F. will be con-celebrant. - Fulfilling Mary's directive, she is to be placed with her beloved grandmother, Marianna Letki in Saint Joseph's Church Cemetery, Hopwood, Pa. - It was Mary's wish that donations be made to the "Saint Joseph Cemetery Fund" in care of Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 180 Old Walnut Hill Road, Uniontown, PA 15401-8905.