Genevieve Skavery, a resident of Mt. Carmel Nursing Home, recently celebrated her 96th birthday. She was born on Jan. 26, 1918 to Stanley and Victoria Swatski of Mt. Carmel.

Genevieve and her husband Stanley, who worked as a coal miner, were married on June 17, 1939 at St. Stanislaus Church in Shenandoah.The family moved to Michigan soon after the birth of their first child. While living in Michigan, Stanley worked for General Motors and for Chrysler at the Detroit Tank Arsenal as a tool & die maker. He later worked on building the Redstone Rocket that put America's first satellite into orbit.In 1966 the family moved back to the coal region. The family had increased in size and consisted of four boys and one girl.The two oldest children, Jean and Stan, remained in Michigan after starting families of their own. Tom is married and resides with his wife Jayne in Quakake, and Gerald lives in Mt. Carmel with his wife Theresa.Genevieve's unwavering spiritual strength comforted her when she lost her son Raymond in 1991 at the age of 39 and her husband of 59 years in April of 1998.Prior to being severely restricted by a variety of debilitating health issues, Genevieve enjoyed spending time with her husband and children.She had an uncanny sense of humor, was a superb cook, a wonderful wife and mother, generous, and unselfish when it came to her family.She enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, Wrestling, and Polka Night in Pennsylvania, playing bingo, and drives in the countryside.Genevieve always had a liking for sweets and used to enjoy a cup of tea along with a Long John Sticky Bun from Sauka's Bakery.On occasion she would indulge herself with another one of her favorites, butter pecan ice cream.Genevieve has 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.Her son Stan says love of family has always been and continues to be her source of strength.