MARCELLA JEAN McGARY FLORIAN:  Daughter of Ruth Elizabeth Lane McGary and Howard Wilbert McGary, Marcella J. [called "Marce" by her husband, but was called "Jean" by her father] was born [removed], 1931 Bentleyville , Washington Co. , Pa.   

Marcella attended Elementary school in Bentleyville , Pa. and Clark School , Washington , Pa.   After seventh grade at Clark School , she received a Scholarship to the Washington Female Seminary [for 1944-46; unable to learn who gave her the scholarship].  She returned to Washington High School on Sept. 3, 1946 , where she was a member of the Octet Ensemble.  She did not complete High School because Washington H. S. would not accept her credits from The Seminary.  Marcella later became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) by application to the State of Pennsylvania by Waiver of Education and Examination Requirements, dated July 20, 1959 .  She attended some classes at the Washington Hospital School of Nursing, but was not a student of the school.  

Marcella was married to James Francis Florian at 9 a.m. Aug. 16, 1948 by Father Andrew J. Zapora in the old St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church [which was torn down] in Washington , Pa.   The wedding breakfast and reception was held at the Mount Vernon Room of the historic George Washington Hotel, Main St. , Washington , Pa.   At that time of her marriage, she was a clerk at Nick Bindas’s Washington Jewelers, W. Chestnut St. , Washington Co. , Pa.   Marcella worked at various times during her marriage: at R.C.A. ; at Ankrom Nursing Home [now Kade’s Nursing Home, W. Wylie Avenue Extension] and Mary’s Personal Care Home [located then on Locust Ave. ] both in Washington , Pa. ; and she also did Private Duty Nursing. Marcella and James had five daughters: Diana L., Catherine L., (Frances) Colleen, Judith A., and Wendy S.  Purchasing a concrete foundation home ... Marcella and Jim built a personally designed five-bedroom home.  This home, not fully completed, was sold after the death of Marcella.  The couple created "Marcie’s Specialties," selling handcrafted children’s and doll furniture during times when Jim was physically unable to work as a Mail Carrier.  In 1957, Marcella appeared as a contestant [chosen from the audience on that day] on the New York City CBS Television’s daytime version of "Strike It Rich," created and produced by Walt Framer and M.C.’d by Warren Hull [The Complete Encyclopedia of Television Programs 1947 – 1979. Vol. 2, 2nd Ed. Vincent Terrace. p. 937]. Marcella’s favorite poem was "How Do I Love Thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and she enjoyed the poetry of Helen Steiner Rice.  She enjoyed classical music and musicals.  She played the piano and organ and especially enjoyed the songs "Ava Maria," "Because," "In the Garden," and "How Great Thou Art."  As hobbies, Marcella crocheted, did embroidery and collected salt and pepper shakers.  [Ed. Note: Daughter, Judy, still has some of her mother’s crocheted pieces.]  She was a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School Teacher at Allison Ave. Baptist Church .  She became a member of St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church as a teenager, and was a member of the Church’s Arch-Confraternity of Christian Mothers.  Politically, she was an Independent and later a Republican.  She was instrumental in starting the Ladies’ Auxiliary NALC Branch #586, working closely with John and Jean Lonsway of Washington , Pa.   Marcella died at 12:20 a.m. Fri., Nov. 9, 1973 and was buried Mon., Nov. 12 in the Washington Cemetery , Section 12.  Father Daniel J. Szczygiel, a close personal friend to the Florian and McGary families, delivered a special graveside message.  The cause of death was due to congestive heart failure, emphysema, Hammmond-Rich Syndrome [a rare lung disease].  Marcella was 42 yrs., 3 months, 13 days old. [Information combined from her mother and daughters.] 

      NOTE: Copy of Washington High School Record obtained. 

            Copy of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) "Application by Waiver", State of Pennsylvania dated July 20, 1959 obtained also.

JAMES FRANCIS FLORIAN: Son of Joseph Ferdinand Florian, Sr. and Daisy Irene Hatfield Florian, James F. "Jim" was born 1927 in Washington , Pa.   He weighed 10 1/2 pounds.    James attended Immaculate Conception Grade School and High School, and left school to join the Navy.  He enlisted in the Navy Sept. 12, 1945 and served 4 mos.  He received a medical discharge on Dec. 22, 1945 [See U.S. Navy "Separation Papers"].  After his discharge, Jim requested and received his High School Diploma on Feb. 28, 1946 [H.S. records] from the State of Harrisburg, having already completed enough credits to graduate.  A Diploma was granted, and then was issued by Immaculate Conception High School.  He spent his entire life in Washington , with the exception of a short time in Michigan , where he worked at Fisher Body in Wyandotte , Mi.  Jim was a member of Immaculate Conception Church where he was an Altar Boy. At 9 a.m. Aug. 16, 1948 , James Francis Florian was united in marriage to Marcella Jean McGary.  The wedding, officiated by Father Andrew J. Zapora, was held in the old St. Hilary Roman Catholic Church [which was torn down] in Washington , Pa.   The wedding breakfast and reception was held at the Mount Vernon Room of the historic George Washington Hotel, Main Street , Washington , Pa.   The couple had five daughters: Diana L., Catherine L., (Frances) Colleen, Judith A., and Wendy S.  Jim worked as a Mail Carrier with the U.S. Postal Service for 22 yrs. [from 1948 to 1970] and was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers [NALC] Branch # 586.  In 1949, he was injured while delivering mail on a foot route.  His injuries created numerous medical problems until the time of his death.  Jim was an excellent Carpenter, Electrician, Plumber, and Stonemason, designing and building a 5 bedroom home from the foundation-home which he had purchased on  W. Wylie Avenue, Washington Co., Pa.   He was very inventive in recycling materials and in all aspects of building.  The 2-story home contained hardwood pine flooring (dance floor from Alpine) and stairs (former pin-ball machines), hand-crafted drawers and shelving that Jim built into the walls, and built-in closets with either sliding hardwood doors or blue cushioned-upholstered doors.  Jim, Marcella, and the 4 oldest girls all worked on building the house over the years.  This home was sold after the 1973 death of his widow, Marcella.  During times when James was physically unable to work as a Mail Carrier, the couple created the business "Marcie’s Specialties," selling handcrafted children’s and doll furniture.  James was interested in world events, saved newspaper clippings of historical interest and avidly followed NASA developments.  He was active in recycling efforts long before community recycling efforts became a focus nationwide.  Jim loved to read, crochet, make hooked rag rugs, play the piano and sing.  He enjoyed model trains and had a Lionel Train which is still in the family. [Ed.: I remember that pellets could be used in the engine’s smokestack to create smoke.]  He was interested in politics and was a Democrat.  James died at 9:15 a.m. on Sat., Mar. 28, 1970 in Washington Hospital, Washington, Pa.  He was buried Tues., Mar. 31 in Washington Cemetery, Section 12.  The immediate cause of death was thrombo- phlebitis and acute septicemia.  He was 42 yrs., 2 years, 3 months, and 19 days old at his death.  [Information combined from his mother-in-law and his daughters.]

      NOTE: Copy of High School Record obtained. The High School issued a regular Diploma after permission was given by Harrisburg ; family has copy of the I.C.H.S. Diploma.