Mary Louise Vaccaro, treasured mother, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on March 30, 1925, and peacefully passed at home on Thursday May 12, 2016, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mary is survived by her children, Peter (Gerry Giguere); daughter in law, Cathern (Jeff Johnson); Rodney (Joan); Thomas (Nick Cavnar); Lucia (Ken Bierschbach); and Mary Theresa (Christine Yalda) sister Rose Caniglia, and grandchildren, Dominic (Cindy), Sarah, Maria (Jake), Lucien, Alessandra, Lily (Matthew), Paul, Olivia, Isabella, Nick (Becky) and Andrew (Sarah) Giguere, and great grandchildren, Christian, Elise, Sofia, Vivian, and Nick, daughters in law Mary Anne Vaccaro and Liz Dykhouse. Mary was preceded in passing by her husband Nunzio, son Filadelfo; parents Lucia and Filadelfo Caniglia, siblings Ross, Louie, Grace, Al, and grandson Thomas. Mary personified the concept of unconditional love. In addition to creating a nurturing home for her own six children, she kept an open table for anyone at any time in need of a good meal or kind, gracious company. She was a mother to all who knew her. Mary was a long time member of St. Mary Magdalen Parish, where she served as a Catechist, a Eucharistic minister and Food Pantry Coordinator. In later years, she was welcomed into the loving arms of the Sunday Assembly at Dominican Chapel, Marywood. Most recently, she received great spiritual comfort from watching the Cathedral of St. Andrew television Mass, sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids. Mary volunteered in several school libraries over the years, including Marywood Academy, Sherwood Park and Beckwith Elementary. She was a charter member of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, serving in many ways, including the Thanksgiving Basket project, the charities committee, and Festa Italiana. Mary was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 1994. Mary's family would like to thank her Doctor, Mohammad Saleh, special nurse, Stacy , the staff of Leaves Personal Care, most especially Kathy Storey. The Vaccaros are also grateful for the wonderful care Mary received from Gentiva Hospice. For anyone who wishes to honor Mary with a memorial, contributions may be made to the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids (Television Mass); Dominican Sisters, Grand Rapids; Gays in Faith Together (GIFT) or the charity of your choosing. The family will receive visitors at Ofield Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Ave SE. Kentwood, MI 49508 on Sunday, 2:00 - 4:00 PM and 7:00-9:00 PM with a Wake and Remembering Service at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Dominican Chapel Marywood, 2025 Fulton St E. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 on Monday at 11:00 AM with visitation an hour prior with Fr. Joachim Lally CSP, Celebrant.



Service Information

Visitation
When: Sunday, May 15, 2016 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Location:
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo AveKentwood,MI 49508

Second Visitation
When: Sunday, May 15, 2016 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo AveKentwood,MI 49508

Third Visitation
When: Monday, May 16, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am
Location:
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo AveKentwood,MI 49508

Service
When: Monday, May 16, 2016 11:00am
Location:
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo AveKentwood,MI 49508