Velma (Orris) Bryja

Velma (Orris) Bryja, 87, Portage, PA died December 26, 2023 at Memorial Medical Center. She was born August 30, 1936 in Portage, PA, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Beni) Orris. Preceded in death by parents, brothers Michael and Joseph (Rhoda Canyock) Mikonsky, and John Kovach, sisters Elizabeth (Michael Billcheck), Margaret (John Kolaso), Joann Mikonsky, Rosalie (Benito Santos), and Dorothy (Kenneth McIntosh), brothers-in-law, John, Joseph (Hedwig Bednarchik), Frank (Florence Janosik), Stanley, Louis (Margie Kreutzberger), and Thaddeus (Mary Michina), and sister in-law Mary (Edward Squillario). Survived by loving husband Michael of 62 years, son Michael and daughter Suzanne (Larry Brugh) and grandsons Nicholas Brugh, Jacob and Michael III Bryja. Also survived by sister Irene Oravecz (late Thomas Oravecz), brother in-law Walter Bryja (Dorothy Nibert) sister in-law, Bernice Bryja, and several nieces and nephews. Velma was a graduate of Portage Joint High School (1954). She worked for Warner Brothers in New York City and Puritan Foundations in Portage before becoming a dedicated housewife who always had the most delicious meals and desserts for her family despite their crazy sport schedules. She hosted many extended family holidays and celebrations and loved spending time with family. She baked for many of the Sacred Heart Church Picnic Bake Sales sharing her delicacies to many customers who came back year to year.   Friends received 4-7 p.m., Friday at the Serenko-Claar Funeral Home, PC, Portage. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday at Holy Family Parish, Caldwell Ave., Father Thomas Stabile, TOR, Celebrant. Committal in St. Johns Cemetery, Portage. Family suggests donations may be made to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital. Online condolences may be made at serenkoclaarfuneralhome.com.

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