Lendak, Slovakia

Maria Kolodzey (later Mary Birosik) was born on December 3, 1873, in Lendak, Slovakia, to Franciscus (Ferencz) Kolodzey (28yo) and Ágnes Ňebusz (23yo). 

In 1890, Mary's husband-to-be, Joseph Birossik emigrated to the Unites States, followed by Mary two years later in 1892.  That same year, Joseph and Mary married. 

In 1894, their oldest child, Katharin, was born.  In 1896, their second child, Mary C (later Lunski) was born. In 1898, their third child, John D was born.  In 1899, their fourth child, Andrew was born. 

By 1900, Joseph and Mary owned a home in Ironwood, Michigan, in 1900.  In addition to their young family of six, the Birosiks also took in Slovakian immigrant boarders in their home.  Eventually, two of those immigrants would be her younger sister Veronica, and Veronica's husband to be, Andrew Griech (See Veronica's story below).

In 1902, their fifth child, Frank was born.  Katharin, Mary, John, Andrew, and Frank were all born in Ironwood, Michigan.

Sometime before 1905, the family moved to Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.  Shortly afterward, their sixth child, Helen (later Mickno) was born.  In 1910, their seventh child, Joseph was born.  Father Joseph worked as a miner at the time Joseph the younger was born.  In 1913, their eighth child, George was born.  Oddly enough, records show that Alice was born 1 month after George; perhaps she was a twin?

By 1920, Mary was the head of the household and her three oldest sons supported the family as a motorman and rippers in the coal mines. This same home and employment situation lasted through the Great Depression into the 1940s.

Mary (Birosik) Kolodzey died on January 9, 1946, in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, when she was 72 years old. 

Mary's younger sister, Veronica Kolodzey (later Verna Griech) was born on 18 AUG 1886 in Lendák, Slovakia to  Franciscus Kolodzey and Agnes Nebusz.

Veronica's life was summarized in the publication, "The Morning Call", written by Jill Wendling - 

"Verna Griech used to laugh when her doctor would tell her "you'll live until 100." Little did she expect his prediction to come true.

But, on Monday, the South Whitehall Township resident celebrated her 100th birthday. She observed the occasion on Sunday with a party attended by about 30 relatives.

The centenarian said she really doesn’t know why she lived until 100, but attributed it partially to having a good home and working hard.

She said most of her life was spent raising her nine children and they are: Mrs Irene Mades, with whom she’s resided with for the past 34 years, Frank of Bethlehem, Andrew of Orefield, Albert of Allentown, Mrs Catherine Smith of Maxatawn and John of Dalmatia, Daughters Anna and Mary did not survive past childhood and son Thomas died last year (1985).

Although some older persons have problems with their hearing and vision, Mrs Griech’s is still in good health, allowing her to listen to polka music, read newspapers and magazines, and watch television.

Before she had problems walking, she was an avid outdoor gardener. But, she still manages to keep her fingers in the dirt by taking care of a few indoor plants which decorate her room.

Born in Lendak, [Czecho] Slovakia, the youngest of four daughters, she went into the work force at 14 hand-rolling cigars. During that time, she received letters from her sister, the late Mary Birosik, who immigrated to this country a few years earlier.

"Her sister wrote back and told her she should come over because it was a good country and and that there were a lot more opportunities here than there,” said Elaine Kucharich of Kutztown, one of her five grandchildren. Klucharich also said that her sister wanted a family member over in this country to keep her company.

At age 16, Griech made the decision to leave her mother and two sisters and make the three-week journey across the ocean. Although her father had died when she was younger and her mother was leery about letting her youngest leaving, her mother eventually relented and gave her permission.

Mrs Griech said when she left her family she felt “frightened and saddened, but excited to come to a new country” 

Upon arriving, she lived with her sister and husband Andrew in Ironwood Michigan. After living there for a while, the three of them moved to Egypt [PA] where Griech worked as a weaver in a Coplay silk mill.

While in Coplay, she met and eventually married Andrew Griech. Ironically, they were from the same town in [Czecho] Slovakia and had met in Ironwood. By coincidence the two were introduced again in this area [Allentown, PA].

They were married for more than 32 years and lived in Fogelsville before he died in 1941.

Naturalized in 1937, Verna has never returned to her homeland and says she never regretted the decision."  

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After an amazing life of 101 years, Veronica passed away in Salisbury Township in Pennsylvania on 30 January 1988.  Her gravestone can be found at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133405102/veronica-griech