LOCAL RECIPIENT Polish convention honors Marie Rockney with award

KRAKOW, Poland -- Marie Tesner Rockney of Youngstown was honored July 20 at a banquet during the American Council for Polish Culture's 54th annual convention, where she received the organization's Founders Award.
The convention was held July 16-21.
Accompanying her as fellow delegates from the Youngstown Polish Arts Club were Sandy Copich and Jean Frances Tocicki.
The honoree
Mrs. Rockney is a native of Youngstown and serves as president of the YPAC. A graduate of The Rayen School, she began a professional career as a seamstress in 1933, eventually taking a position in the interior decorating department at Strouss-Hirshberg.
She married Menno Martin Haak in 1938 and had one son. Mr. Haak served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and died when the destroyer, Spence, sank during a typhoon Dec. 18, 1944. His wife then served as president of the Gold Star Wives for five years and became a member of the Polish Legion of American Veterans Auxiliary.
In 1949 she married William Rockney, with whom she had three sons. She continued her career as an interior decorator.
She joined the Polish Arts Club about 50 years ago and has served the organization in many capacities.