Mary Angela Bonacci

Mary Angela (Cerra) Bonacci was born in Carbondale, PA on September 4, 1924 to Italian immigrant parents Guiseppe Cerra of Cerrisi, Italy and Angelina Brutto of Carlopoli, Italy. Mary was the middle child of Guiseppe and Angelina . She was a member of Mount Carmel church in Carbondale until she married Modesto Bonacci in 1944. Mary graduated from high school and worked in a dress factory to help the family during the Depression. She met Modesto Bonacci , a tailor from Cerrisi, Italy, when he and his father were invited to dinner at the Cerra household. Mary married Modesto when she was 19 and they moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The move was not only deemed necessary to find relief from his hay fever allergies, but also to work for another Italian family, the Pingatores, who were "paesani" from Italy. Mary became a surrogate daughter to many of the Italian women in the area teaching them English and giving classes to those seeking citizenship. Above all else, Mary was a homemaker. She did not work outside the home and prided herself in her ability to be there, not only for her family but to help others in need. Remembering; Maria Morelli, Maria Zambon, Theresa Fazi, Carmina Paris, Carolina Pingatore, the Orlando Pingatore family, the Carmine Bonacci family, and the Larry Gilbert family. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. She had a close relationship with St. Jude who is known as the patron of lost items. Many lost items were recovered after a novena, including her diamond ring found in the Graham Cracker box. As her two children became older, Mary took a job as a Nanny for the family of Rich and Mary Wood, also known as the "Wood Pile." Later, she thought she might like to work at the Locks. She became fast friends with Marie Forrest at the gift shop operated by Rich Brawley. Mary branched out from the gift shop to become one of the "Lock Ladies" and rain or shine she always greeted the tourists with a smile. Breaks were 15 minutes and not a minute more, with a big unless....and that unless, was LIGHTENING. Mary was always a gentile, caring woman. If she was to be defined by words they would be Mom, Grandma, Nanna, Friend and Neighbor. Her love for her family was first and foremost in her life. Throughtout her descent into the disease of Alzheimer's, Mary kept her smile and loving nature. Even when she could not speak, she understood speech patterns and would give anyone a harsh look if she heard an inappropriate word being spoken. Without being able to speak words herself, she let it be known that it was not "nice". She continued to know to pick up and cuddle a baby, to give a kiss and to help others in the nursing home. Old habits die hard. Mary is survived by her daughter Angela (Norm Soczek) Morehouse of Sault Ste. Marie MI., her grandchildren, Micheal Morehouse, Jason (Melissa) Morehouse, Kelly (Shane) Copeland Davies, Katie(Matthew) Sweet, and Krista Copeland, Nieces and Nephews,Maria (George) Dombroski, Gerry (Cheryl) Gilliotti, Diane(Joseph) Cerra, Joe( Joan) Cerra, as well as nieces and nephews in Cerrisi Italy; Maria Trimboli, Arturo Cerra, Ada Molinaro and Franco(Maria) Bevaqua. Mary also loved her goddaughter, Vanda Marasco. Family preceding her in death were her husband of 54 years, Modesto Bonacci, her daughter Louise, and husband Rod Copeland,who were killed in a terrible car accident in Feb of 2010, her parents, Angelina and Guiseppe Cerra, her brother Sam (Vickie) Cerra, and her sister Rose(Gerard) Gilliotti. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church with Father Michael Chenier as celebrant. Friends may visit in the St. Mary's Room of the church from 11:00 AM until the time of the Mass. Burial will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens later this spring.

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Mary Angela Bonacci

September 4, 1924 - December 29, 2017