Born August 9, 1920 in Duquesne, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Mary Barbara was the daughter of George Liszak, born in Poland, and Amelia Novak, born in Duquesne.

On December 26, 1942, Mary Barbara married Alex L. Prokay, a Steel Pourer, born in Duquesne. They had six sons and two daughters.

Mary Barbara died in February 1990. Alex died February 28, 1995. They are buried at Saint Hedwig Cemetery, West Mifflin, Allegheny County.

Their son - the second child - Robert M. Prokay, born in 1947, died in Charlotte, NC September 17, 1997 at Carolinas Medical Center. He is buried at Gosherts Union Church Cemetery, Fredericksburg, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.