The family of Mary Bruzzese (nee Sgambelluri), is greatly saddened at the loss of their wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother who passed away peacefully at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at the age of 97, two months short of her 98th birthday.

Mary was born in Siderno Marina, Reggio di Calabria, Italy, on August 27, 1920. Mary's mother died when she was 13 years old, and she and her 7 year old sister Rose lived with their aunt and uncle until emigrating to Canada to join their father in West Fort William in 1937, who had married Maria Villella. Mary married Samuel Bruzzese on May 10, 1941 and they had 6 children: daughter Carmel Bailey (Barry); son James (Anne); daughter Jean Ann LaBelle (deceased); sons Edward (Patti) and David (Mavourneen); and daughter Darlene (Dave); 7 grandchildren, David, Bryan, Lisa, Kris, Erin, Anthony, and Sarah; and 7 great grandchildren, Ella, Jay, Dominic, Isabelle, Maddux, Agostino, and Magdalena, whom she loved dearly and took special interest in. Mary is also survived by brother John (Connie); sisters Judy (Dave) and Carmel. She was a dear mother-in-law, sister-in-law and a special aunt to many nieces and nephews. Mary lived in her home on Queen Street for 73 years before moving to Pioneer Ridge, where she maintained her sense of pride and did as much for herself as she could.

Her family and Catholic faith were most important to her. She was a parishioner of St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, attended Mass regularly and belonged to the Catholic Women's League since 1959. Mary also belonged to the Women of the Moose, Port Arthur Chapter 1212 since 1956.

Mary had a desire many years ago to improve her English writing abilities, and in the evenings after feeding her large family, walked to and back from night school classes at Hillcrest High School to accomplish this, which she did very successfully.

She enjoyed gardening and travelling to Moose Lodge conventions with her husband. She also enjoyed travelling to see her son Edward and his family at various locations in Western Canada, as well as visiting her children Darlene and David, and her grandson Bryan when they were away at University. Mary was a strong, kind and gentle lady as well as an excellent cook. Her Sunday Italian dinners for family were legendary and both friends and family were treated to her crostoli and biscottini. She had a keen mind and told great stories which will be fondly remembered.

Mary was predeceased by her parents Angela and Cosimo, stepmother Maria, husband Samuel, daughter Jean Ann LaBelle, brother Jerry, sisters Rose Sabatini and Teresa Fournier.

Funeral services for the late Mary Bruzzese will be held on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 leaving the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma, at 9:50 A.M. for the Funeral Mass at 10:30 A. M. in St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church celebrated by Fr. Luigi Filippini. Interment will follow in St. Andrew's R.C. Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 in the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P. M. with Vigil Prayers offered at 7:00 PM in the Chapel.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Northern Cardiac Fund.