Mary E. Fazio
July 10, 2010
A Mother’s Love
Sent from above
He sent the very best.
Our mother departed from this life to be reunited in Christ with her husband of 63 years on Saturday, July 10, 2010 comforted by her loving children at her side.
She faced ovarian cancer and chemotherapy for the past 8 months with acceptance, grace and dignity at age 83.
Mary Elizabeth was born on October 8, 1926 in Spickard, MO. She was the eleventh of twelve children to Herbert and Bertha (Loveland) Nichols, and raised in farming communities around Missouri and Iowa. She attended a one-room school house near Elkhart, Iowa, where she played girls’ basketball during her high school years. She graduated from White Oak High School in 1944.
Upon graduation, she worked at the Ordinance Plant in Ankeny, IA where she met her husband, Joseph R. “Pepe” Fazio. They married on September 1, 1945 and spent almost their entire lives on the north side of Des Moines raising six children.
Mary retired from JC Penney as an associate in the mid 1990’s, a job she enjoyed after many years as a homemaker.
Our mother’s fondest achievement in life was making a home and caring for her husband and family. Her love and devotion was an inspiration to all who knew her.
Among her children’s fondest memories were their mother’s way of preparing special family meals, setting aside time for each child, and always first to lend a helping hand. She is our forever HERO.
She was known for her homemade Italian recipes taught by Grandma Fazio, her famous lemon pound cake, an accomplished seamstress until 2000, and keeping a well organized home.
She enjoyed being involved in her children’s school activities during their youth, and was a long time parishioner of All Saint’s Catholic Church.
During the last few years of her life, she discovered a love for quilting, and her new found quilting “sisters”.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Joseph R. “Pepe” Fazio- deceased 9/2/08, 8 brothers, 2 sisters, a few nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
Left to cherish her memory are her six loving children, Nancy, Jim, Joe, Mary, Terri (Doug Campbell), Michelle (David Boos); one remaining sister, Helen Fitzsimmons from CA; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and neighbors, extended family, Lisa Fazio.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 16, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines, IA. Funeral Mass will start at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2010 with one hour visitation prior to services. Luncheon will immediately follow mass with inurnment at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, IA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials per our mother’s wishes are to be directed to: All Saint’s Catholic Church, Mercy Hospital Oncology Unit, 8th floor, There’s a Monkey in My Chair- a children’s charity with The Love Chloe Foundation, c/o Michelle Boos, all in her loving memory.
Special thanks to: Dr’s. L. Mirsky, D. Turner and D. Schnoor and their office, Mercy Oncology, Mercy Hospice Home Care, Dr. Thomas Mallisee and the Mercy Ultrasound Department.
This earth has lost a kind and gentle angel to which our lives will never be the same.
On-line condolences to:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Shirley (Williams) Kenney
07/19/2010
Helen,
This is a name from your past at White Oak and your home near Woodside. My sister, Betty, sent me Mary's obituary and I was sorry to hear of her passing. She and Bev were really good friends and I think kept up with each other for awhile. We also lost Bev several years ago. I'm sure it will be hard for you and you have my sympathy.
I see you are in CA. What part? I would love to hear about your life. Hope all else is good with you. I am north of Boston. My email is: shirleykenney15@comcast.net
Shirley Kenney
DuAnn Fisher
07/18/2010
I am sorry for your loss....
Joyce Fazio
07/16/2010
Dear Fazio Family
I would like to extend my condolences for the loss of your beloved mother.
She is and always was an angel. She is now with God at home and at peace.
You and your family are in my prayers during this trying time.
God bless
Joyce Fazio
Russell Beebe
07/17/2010
Sorry for your loss........
Joe (Jr.) and Kathy Fazio
07/15/2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Your Mother was such a wonderful lady! She had a way of making everyone feel special. I can remember the times that Rachel and I would go shopping downtown the day after Thanksgiving. If we didn't see her in the skywalk, we would stop in Penney's to say "hi".
She will always be with all of you and you have so many memories.
our love and prayers to all of you.
Joe and Kathy Fazio
Sandy Lane
07/15/2010
Nancy,
You are in my prayers and thoughts at this time. May God give you and your family His comfort at this time of the loss of your Mother. The memories of your Mother are yours to cherish.
Steve Crawford
07/15/2010
Mary,
I am sorry to hear about your mother's passing. You are in my prayers.
I pray for your whole family, that they may feel the peace of Christ in this moment. I pray that the Holly Spirit will be you and comfort you.
If there is anything I can do for you, please call me and let me know.
God Bless
Steve
Carol Sullivan
07/15/2010
Mary,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Please accept my deepest condolences.
We have missed you.
Carol Sullivan
Nall Avenue Baptist Church
Sheri Vining
07/15/2010
Nancy,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you!
Sheri
Carolyn Barnette
07/15/2010
What a beautiful tribute you all have written to honor your mother. She must have been a very special lady, and you all are her wonderful legacy.
Even having experienced the "homegoing" of my own mother, I still find it hard to know what to say in times like these. My prayer for you today is that the Father who created you, the Son who died and rose again for you, and the Holy Spirit who lives within you will give you comfort and peace in your time of sorrow. May your hearts and minds be filled with wonderful, loving memories of your mother that will enable you to give a voice to your grief. Spend the days ahead comforting one another with those voiced memories.
And to Mary of Kansas, know that you are loved with the everlasting love of our Savior and with the love of your Nall Avenue Baptist Church family. We will be here for you when you get home. Expect lots of love and hugs!
Peace and Prayers,
Carolyn Barnette, Minister to Single Adults
Nall Avenue Baptist Church, Prairie Village, Kansas
Judy Howard
07/15/2010
My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Mothers are special gifts from God.
Tammy Moon
07/14/2010
Dear Michelle & Family,
I wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Tammy
The Haiden Family
07/13/2010
Mary was a wonderful lady, so kind, caring and loving. I had the pleasure to spend time with her on several occasions at her daughter Michelle house. Once you had met her, you would have wished she was your mother too. I know she will be greatly missed by one and all, god did call his angel Mary home. But how blessed are we to have been a part of her life, whether it was for many years or only a short time. I know that my daughter and I will never forget Mary, we are so glad we got to know her. We will miss the fact that we won't be able to spend more time with her here on earth, but we will met again someday. Many prayers, hugs and warm wishes go out to Mary's children and family.
With Love,
Monique Haiden & Family
Marilyn Hull Corbin
07/13/2010
Dear Mary and Terri,
I was very sad to hear of your mother's loss. The last time I saw her she was having a ball looking at all the antique cars at our class reunion up at Chuck's. It is so very hard to lose a parent, but remember all the good times and happy memories and your mother will live on in your hearts forever, until we all meet again.
With deepest sympathy,
Marilyn Hull Corbin (NHS '71)
james and betty spooner
07/12/2010
Family We share your sorrow and our love goes with it too A very special lady loved by many. SORRY from our classmates