An Iconic City Woman who was “Squadron” Member in WWII, Mary Anne Diamond, Passes at Age of 103

Mary Anne Diamond, 103, of Bridgeport, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at Mt. Macrina Manor in Uniontown, PA. She was born on May 20, 1922 in Clarksburg, the daughter of the late Andrew Constantine and Elizabeth L. Sotak Kniska. Mary Anne was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John H. Diamond who was Chief of Police in Bridgeport for many years.

Mary was a 1939 graduate of Roosevelt-Wilson High School. She attended West Virginia Business College and trained as a Medical Record Librarian at St. Mary’s Hospital. During WWII, she was employed by Goodyear Aircraft in Akron, Ohio. No ordinary “Rosie”, she was selected to become a member of the “Squadron”, a troubleshooting group trained for proficiency in all facets in the development and manufacture of the Corsair aircraft, which greatly assisted the United States war effort. She was the first woman in Goodyear’s Industrial Engineering Department, Time Study Division.

After the War, in Clarksburg, she served as medical secretary to Dr. Lynwood D. Zinn for 27 years.

In 1951 she married John Diamond in a double ring ceremony with Carl and Betty Furbee.

Mary Anne was a member of Holy Rosary Slovak Catholic church in Clarksburg, and All Saints Catholic Church in Bridgeport. She was active in local business women’s groups, civic organizations, and the United Hospital Center Auxiliary. She was past President of the Bridgeport Garden Club. In 1978 she completed Flower Show School and was accredited as an International Flower Show Judge for the National Council of Garden Clubs.

She was predeceased by her husband John, her sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Kniska Furbee and Cecilia Kniska Madzin Davish, as well as brothers Michael Kniska, Andrew Kniska, William Kniska, Joseph Kniska, Thomas Kniska, Daniel Kniska, John Kniska and Paul Kniska. Her brother, Nicholas E. Kniska survives as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family has entrusted the arrangements to the Ford Funeral Home, Allen Chapel, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport. Friends will be received in the funeral home on Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 4 pm until 6 pm. A Funeral Divine Liturgy, in the Byzantine Rite will take place at the All Saints Catholic Church, 317 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV 26330 on Friday, September, 19, 2025 at 10 am with Father Kyprian Wojciechowski and Reverend Father Casey Mahone. A Byzantine Interment will follow in the Bridgeport Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.

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