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НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ • Липень-Серпень 2023 31 Marion D. Serna Branch 124, St. Petersburg, FL Marion D. Serna, 91, of Palm Harbor, FL, died peacefully on March 15, 2023, surrounded by family and friends. Marion was born August 21, 1931, in Plainfield, NJ, the daughter of Peter DeBaylo and Katherine Sa - vola DeBaylo. Marion was pre-de - ceased by her husband of 60 years, Walter Serna, and her only sibling, George DeBaylo. Her immediate family includes her son Stephen Serna (the late Roxann Bacon Serna) of Hopatcong, NJ; her daughter Donna (Philip Goldstein) of Chapel Hill, NC; and her grand - children and their spouses. Also sharing in her loss are many family members and friends in the U.S., Canada, Germany, the Nether - lands, Poland, and Ukraine. Marion grew up in the close-knit community of Lake Nelson, NJ, on a small family farm, with several members of the Savola family near - by. She was a keen student and en - joyed participating in various school clubs, as well as babysitting and caring for her cousins. She met her husband, Walter Serna, at a church picnic. They married in 1952 and moved to Piscataway, NJ, where they raised their two children. Throughout her life, Marion en - joyed participating in a wide range of activities and often took on positions of responsibility in organizations to which she belonged. As a young adult, Marion worked in the New Brunswick Savings and Loan as an executive secretary and was actively involved in the Civil Air Patrol, rising to the rank of Captain. Marion was very creative and loved making life special and memorable for all. As a new mother, she organized a neighborhood baseball team, the Academy Street Kids. When her children became school-aged, she sought employ - ment outside the home, eventually opening her own real estate agency, Homestead Realty. Other business ventures included owning and op - erating hotels in Wildwood, NJ, for several years in the 1970s. During this time, she continued her volunteer activities: PTA president; teaching English as a second language; and volunteering with Friends of the Pis - cataway Public Library and Friends of the Historic Metlar House. Marion loved to travel and especially enjoyed visiting family in Ukraine. Marion was a devout Christian who attended mass every Sunday and spent countless hours supporting her church, the Nativity of Our Bless - ed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, and its parochial school, in New Brunswick, NJ. When Marion and Walter moved to St. Petersburg, FL, she continued her religious devotion, worshiping at the Epiphany of Our Lord Ukrainian Catholic Church. Marion quickly re-engaged with many of the activities she had enjoyed in NJ. She took on the presiden - cy of the Ukrainian American Association of St. Petersburg, became the Ukrainian representative to the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair, and was an active member of UNWLA Branch 124. During her life, she made a positive impact on many lives through her kindness, generosity, and understanding. As a member of our branch, she participated in all our activities and events, offering a helping hand and building our UNWLA sisterhood through her sense of humor and caring ways. For years, as our Social Welfare Chairperson, Marion called and sent cards to individuals who were going through difficult times or celebrating a special occasion, or just let people know that they were remembered. Marion knew the importance of education and was a UNWLA Scholarship Sponsor for many children in Ukraine over the years, helping them become young productive adults. She was the “Heart” of our branch. Supporting and helping others was one of her missions in life. As president of the St. Petersburg Ukrainian American Association for decades, she brought Ukraine into the spotlight within the city’s inter - national community. Thanks to her leadership, dedication, and love for Ukraine, others learned about Ukraine’s culture, traditions, and arts IN MEMORIAM
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