Mary Margaret Prah Relich

1924 - 2018

On Friday, February 23, 2018, after a long, full, and generous life devoted to family, friends and neighbors, Mary Margaret Prah Relich died.

She was a daughter of the late Anton Prah and Neža Stopar. She was born on February 7, 1924, in Lemont Furnace, in the coal fields of Western Pennsylvania, to which her parents had emigrated from Slovenia. She was exceptionally proud of her Slovenian heritage and also exceedingly interested in and respectful of others' ethnic heritage. She had an abiding interest in her Slavic heritage and a great facility for Eastern European languages. One of her most treasured memories was of her trip to Slovenia with her brother and sister to visit relatives at her parent's birthplace. 

She was the matriarch of her large extended family for more than six decades and the family oral historian. She was particularly fond of the account of her family, having housed a dozen families in their own home after the families were dispossessed from company housing during a coal strike in Fayette County. Her future husband was a member of one of the families taken in during the monthslong strike. 

She possessed a great industry modeled after her parents. She remained actively employed until age 38. She was an extraordinary cook and baker with a keen culinary curiosity. She was a gracious and generous hostess of family, friends and neighbors. She entertained countless festive Sunday and holiday meals with great joy. 

She was a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church, having been a proud member of Christian Mothers. She was godmother and confirmation sponsor to scores of children. 

She was a gentle and selfless person. She was one of nature's noble people. 

In addition to her parents, deceased are brothers Joseph, Anthony (Father John, OCD), John and Frank; and sisters Ann and Agnes. She was married to George L. Relich, who also preceded her in death. 

Surviving are sons George F. (Antoinette) of Washington, Robert (Mary Ann) of Colorado Springs, Colo., Michael (Margaret) of Pittsburgh, John (Jennifer Recupero) of Washington; daughter Mary Relich Dudas (Robert) of Pittsburgh; 10 grandchildren, Amy (Bryan) Cuddy, Brian (Nicole) Relich, Timothy (Megan) Relich, Cara (Kevin) Nord, Matthew (Sayaka) Relich, Sarah Relich, Nicholas (Hannah) Relich, Nathan Relich, Mary Alexis Dudas and Zachary Dudas; eight great-grandchildren, Riley Cuddy, Connor Cuddy, Paeytn Relich, Morghan Relich, Benjamin Nord, Maxwell Nord, Ellis Relich and Reid Relich; and numerous nieces and nephews, including her devoted niece-sister, Michelle Prah, CSJ. 

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Warco-Falvo Funeral Home Inc., Wilson at East Katherine avenues, Washington, S. Timothy Warco, supervisor/director, Susan Falvo Warco, director, S. Timothy Warco II, director, where a prayer service will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 119 West Chestnut Street, Washington. Interment will be private in St. Mary Cemetery, Uniontown.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of St. Joseph, 1020 State Street, Baden, PA 15005.

Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com.