Jennie Jane (Karney) Gelston

October 25, 1932 - February 14, 2018

At about 12:30 AM February 14, 2018, an angel came and took Jennie away and no matter how tight I held her she slipped out of my arms and into the arms of our Heavenly Father where she will wait for me.

I met Jennie on May 16, 1959 while in the Air Force and stationed at Greater Pittsburgh Airport. It was “Armed Forces Day” which is when the civilian population is allowed to come on base and see what they are getting for their tax dollars. I served as an Air Policeman and on that day was assigned to a busy intersection directing traffic when this Doris Day look alike without the freckles and her friend approached me and asked me directions to the restroom. I about swallowed my whistle and brought traffic to a stop. I was not about to let her get away and luckily I spotted my friend Leo and his partner on foot patrol. I talked Leo into letting his partner replace me on my post so we could escort the girls to the restroom. Not much was said along the way and when we got there they thanked us and left. Leo said “so now what” and I replied “it’s not over yet” . We waited until they came out and got their phone numbers hoping they were the right ones. Leo said “which one do you want”? And I replied, “are you kidding , I want the blond” I called her and after dating for a month I proposed, she said yes, and five months later we had a big Polish Catholic wedding. My family was not only not Catholic but didn’t like Catholics so it raised more than one eyebrow when I announced that I was marrying a Catholic girl. They all showed up at the wedding and by a miracle the church is still standing today; however a few years later it caught fire and almost burned to the ground, yah think?

I have been blessed with over 58 years of marriage to Jennie and I would like to share a few of the joyful times we spent together.

About a couple weeks before our wedding I made reservations for the bridal suite at one of the larger downtown Pittsburgh hotels for our wedding night and when I told Jennie about it she told me to cancel it because there was no way we were paying 50 dollars for a hotel room. I called the desk clerk and told her to cancel and she told me how sorry she was that it did not work out. I immediately told her that the wedding was still on but my bride to be would not spend 50 dollars for a room. She said “good luck sir”.

We honeymooned in New York City and when we got there the weather turned cold and Jennie forgot to pack a winter coat and had to buy one. I thought to myself so much for the 50 bucks we saved on the room, but much to her credit we went to Macy’s bargain basement and bought a coat marked down to 29.99 which she wore until it was worn out. Always the conservative one, always the saver. Jennie is the most non pretentious person I have ever met who always spoke her mind that sometimes got her into trouble. It was just Jennie being Jennie. She had a smile that made you forget about everything and the most beautiful blue eyes that God ever gave anyone.

I was never one for musicals but while in New York City seeing a Broadway show is a big deal and Jennie wanted to see “My Fair Lady” starring Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews. I said OK Jennie so off we are to Broadway. After about the third act or so I looked over and noticed that Jennie had kicked off her shoes and had fallen asleep. I just smiled, put my arm around her and knew that “The Fairest Lady” had her head on my shoulder.

In 1960 were transferred to Marietta GA and had our first child, Maureen. In 1962 we were transferred to Columbus, OH and had our second child Jimmy. In 1964 I applied for recruiting duty and while attending recruiting school in Texas we had our third child Jennifer and after renting a house in Kent we bought our home in Ravenna in 1965. After selling most of our baby furniture we were surprised with our fourth child Michele in 1968. It seemed like every time we made a move we had a baby which is why I believe after several attempts I could never get Jennie to move from Scranton St, she wasn’t taking any chances.

Jennie was born in Pittsburgh PA to Peter and Sophia Karney, Polish immigrants who came to this country, got a job, became citizens, respected the flag, and raised their children to do the same. Jennie graduated from Bridgeville High School in Bridgeville PA and from Duff’s Business College in Pittsburgh, PA. She was employed as a secretary at Universal Cyclops Steel Co until we were transferred to Georgia. Except for some baby sitting outside the home, Jennie spent the most of her life raising our family by herself while I was away on Air Force assignments or working two jobs. In 1968 I was reassigned to remote Alaska leaving Jennie behind with 4 children ages 6 months to 7 years and without family to help her. Jennie not only raised our family but made me the man I am today. Thank you Jennie because without you I would probably not be here today. I knew that if I was going to have any chance with her I had to change immediately which I did; she never saw my wild side but after we were married she was filled in by my older sister. Thanks a lot Grace. I have so much to thank Jennie for starting with our 58 plus years of marriage, our four children, our seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. By the example she set and her devotion to God I wanted what she had so I became a Catholic and am grateful to her now and beyond. Not knowing that she had married a high school dropout, she insisted that I obtain by GED which I did and encouraged me to attend college. I attended evening classes at Ohio University branch on base in Columbus and Kent State until I took a part time job that led to my full time job after retiring from the Air Force. Jennie has had a part of everything good in my life.

Jennie leaves behind our children Maureen (Chuck) Pozzini from Rootstown, James Jr from Arlington, Texas, Jennifer (Steve) Beers from Huntington Beach CA, and Michele (Dave) Keenan from Green, OH. Grandchildren James Gelston III from Shreveport LA, Bobby (Michele) Bergman from Rootstown, Amanda (Kyle) Meranto from Mogadore, Christina (Adam) Sandor from Ravenna, Maria Meduri from Deerfield, OH and her fiancé Jeff Dawson, Carson Keenan from Green, OH and the University of Alabama, and Reagan Keenan from Green, OH. Great grandchildren Jensen Bergman, Henlee Meranto, and Haley Bergman. Also surviving, her twin brother John (Marlene) Karney from McDonald, PA and the entire Pittsburgh Steeler Team. She was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Sophia Karney.

The Gelston family would like to thank Crossroads Hospice who stepped up to the plate and hit a home run and “The Woodlands” nursing facility who adopted us and treated us like family from top to bottom. In lieu of flowers the family request any memorials be made to The Immaculate Conception Church in Ravenna, OH. Where Jennie was very active by singing in the New Life Choir, was greeter coordinator, and was a member of Our Ladies Guild. I would like to thank the Record Courier for allowing me to express my feelings about Jennie and publishing her obituary mistakes and all.

Friends and family will be received Sunday, February 18, 2018, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend William Kraynak on Monday, February 19, 2018, at 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church 409 W. Main St., Ravenna (Please meet at the church). Entombment will take place at St. Mary Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.