Mary Giglio

Mary Giglio slipped away Wednesday evening, August 2 at French Manor Residential Living. She was born January 14, 1932 in the small town of Greenville, Michigan to Peter Giglio and Josephine Belsito, the 9th of their 11 children. Eager to make a difference, she took her vows in the 1950s, in the Maryknoll order, and began a journey across the nation and world, teaching in California, Hawaii, and Hong Kong, where she made lifelong friends with her religious community and with her students. Back in Michigan in 1976, living independently, she studied art, took flying lessons, gardened, read voraciously, and occasionally traveled with her brother Frank to Alaska and elsewhere. Having settled for several decades in Sturgis, MI, she worked at Holy Angels Catholic School, and for many years at Sturgis Hospital in medical billing where she made many dear friends. Upon her retirement, she moved to Traverse City, to be near her sister, Betty and Betty’s husband Raymond, and six of her nieces and nephews living in Northern Michigan. Wherever she lived, she was known for always having something yummy baking to share with friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her Giglio siblings: brothers Alfred, George, William, Frank, and John: and her sisters Ida (Carl) Ritterdorf, Sister Dorothy Giglio, OP, Betty (Raymond) Povolo, Angela Giglio and Arlene Giglio; and nephew Peter Giglio.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Gilda Povolo, John Povolo, Jennifer (Don) Flynn, Therese (Greg Griswold) Povolo, Joseph Povolo, Julie Povolo; Caterina Giglio Digison, Sue (Keith)) Zeyen, Michael (Shari) Giglio, Patrick (Lisa); Lisa ( David) Martin and Katie Giglio; and numerous grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Mary requested a green burial, which took place Monday Aug. 7, at Peninsula Township Cemetery, and was followed by memorial meal of her favorite foods, and gathering with members of her northern Michigan family.

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