Mary C. Rocco, 86, a longtime resident of Ramsay, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 16, 2010.
Mary was born on June 23, 1924 in Milwaukee, the daughter of Peter and Marie (Verga) Gariglietti, and from the age of two was raised by a loving couple Domenic and Marianna Nicolino. She attended Anvil School and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer.
During her high school years, Mary waitressed on weekends at the Lakeview Inn in Wakefield. Following graduation, she worked for four years at the Bessemer Food Shop as a bookkeeper and cashier.
On June 28, 1947, Mary was united in marriage to Joseph Emil Rocco at Christ the King Catholic Church in Ramsay by the late Rev. Ronald Bassett. They celebrated nearly 53 years of marriage before his passing on May 22, 2000.
She worked at Jack's Food Shop in Ramsay, the Ben Franklin Store in Bessemer, and the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield.
Mary was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Wakefield and a former member of Christ the King Catholic Church.
She was a lady who took pride in her work and always put others first. Mary enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, canning, and sewing for her family and friends.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Mary is survived by five children, Joseph (Cathy), Stevens Point, Wis., Marianne (Robert) Finkbeiner, Marquette, Dr. James (Kathy), Ramsay, Jeffry (Anne), Grand Blanc, and Jerald, Ramsay; six grandchildren, Cathy Marie (Jeremy) Rattle, Joe, David, Andrea, Joey and Bobby; a great-grandson, Trent; her brother, Anteo (Mary) Nicolino, San Bernardino, Calif.; two sisters-in-law who were like sisters, Marie Levelius, Ramsay, and Agnes Flanders, Georgetown, Calif.; four nieces and four nephews; many loving cousins; and a host of friends.
Besides her beloved husband, Mary was preceded in death by Mother Gariglietti on July 3, 1924; Father Gariglietti on May 22, 1961; Father Nicolino on Dec. 12, 1965; and Mother Nicolino on Nov. 1, 1975.
Friends may call at the Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield on Tuesday, Nov. 23, from 5 to 8 p.m., where recitation of the rosary will take place at 7 p.m., led by Father Mayotte.
Visitation will continue on Wednesday, Nov. 24, from 9 to 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., with the Revs. Joy J. Adimakkeel, Louis P. Bracket, Allan J. Mayotte and Raymond F. Moncher concelebrating. Also in attendance will be the Immaculate Conception Woman's Guild Honor Guard.
Pallbearers will be her sons, son-in-law and other loved ones.
Rite of Committal and burial will take place next to her husband in Lakeside Cemetery.
A reception will be held at the Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 following the cemetery service.
The family would like to thank everyone at Gogebic Medical Care Facility for their kindness and loving care that was given to our mother. God bless you all!