Maria Buccilli

Maria “Mary” Buccilli, age 93, of West Branch, MI, died August 20, 2017, with many family members by her side. She was born the daughter of Italian immigrants, Rocco and Louisa (Angelucci) Laerzio on September 27, 1923 in Detroit, MI. Mary was united in marriage to Patsy “Butsy” Buccilli Sr on January 27, 1940 who preceded her in death on December 28, 2000. Mary was a resident of the Villa Nursing Home at the time of her death. Mary was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of West Branch and Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church of Prudenville. Other than Detroit and West Branch, Mary lived for many years in Madison Heights, MI, Harrison, MI and Kingman, AZ.

Mary was a lifelong devoted and faithful Catholic who was active in her parishes, prayed the rosary daily, and whose faith shined forth in her joy and care for all those whose lives she touched. Her fervent prayer, goodness of heart, and sacrificial love truly revealed God’s presence to her family and friends.

Mary loved being surrounded by her family and was especially happy when she had a baby in her arms. As one grandson recently recalled, the aroma of spaghetti sauce and meatballs cooking filled the house every Saturday, in preparation for the inevitable houseful that would show up for Sunday dinner. Mary and Butsy enjoyed playing cards with their family and friends, and bingo with the grandchildren was a regular occurrence. Mary was an avid reader, especially in her later years when she compiled a long list of books read. Her memory was sharp right up to end as she could recall the birthdays of all of her grandchildren and most of her great & great-great grandchildren. She was filled with stories of her life and always told them in vivid detail.

Mary is survived by seven children: Patricia Check; Nancy (Gregory Goertzen) Dailey; Susan Buccilli; Alexander Buccilli; Louis (Rebecca) Buccilli; Rosemary (Chris) Hornbrook; Maria Buccilli; one daughter-in-law, Mary Lee Buccilli; 30 grandchildren; 71 great grandchildren; 12 great-great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Gilda Nicosia and Rose Moscatello and many nieces and nephews.
Other than her husband Mary was preceded in death by one son Patsy Buccilli Jr; one grandson Michael Buccilli; three sons-in-law Michael Nykanen, Richard Dailey and Robert Check; 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch, MI will take place on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Mary will take place on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in West Branch, MI with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. Father Patrick Maher will be officiating. Burial will be in St. Athanasius cemetery in Harrison, MI.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Helping Hands, West Branch, MI.

Funeral arrangements were handled by Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home of West Branch, MI. Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com