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Submitted: 4/21/16 • Approved: 4/21/16 • Last Updated: 3/18/18 • R103159-G103158-S3
MARQUETTE - Aurelia Mary "Spag" Spagnolo, 97, of Marquette, entered the Father's Kingdom early Friday morning, March 11, 2011 at Marquette General Hospital.
Spag was born on March 7, 1914 in the Patch Location in Negaunee, one of 13 children born to John and Maria Chiri. She was raised in Negaunee and graduated from St. Paul's Catholic High School there.
Spag's first job came at the age of 13 when she worked at an ice cream parlor in Negaunee. She also worked as a clerk at Coppens Market later becoming Fletcher's Market in South Marquette for 25 years.
She volunteered at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette for approximately 30 years and received the State of Michigan Volunteer of the Year Award in April of 1999 from Governor John Engler.
Spag's primary purpose in life was to be of service to others and she did so in an unrelenting way right up until the day she died.
One of her biggest joys in life was to cook homemade Italian feasts for family and friends. Her door was always open to visitors.
Survivors include two sons, Bill Spagnolo of Grand Haven, MI and Jim "Jumbo" Spagnolo of Sparta, TN; one step-son, Lawrence Spagnolo of Marquette; eight grandchildren, Mark (Ahn) Spagnolo, John and Mary Spagnolo, Whitney Spagnolo, Jimmy (Teresa) Spagnolo, Dr. Susan (Steve) Orvis, Dr. Melissa (Jeffrey) Sherman, Lisa (Bosko) Katic; nine step-grandchildren, Mike (Judy) Spagnolo, Paul (Merlee) Spagnolo, Sue (Dennis) Bell, Julie (Efrain) Ochoa, Linda (John) Spratto and Larry Spagnolo, Bob Coppens, Carol Coppens (Ron) Novak, and Bill Coppens; seven great grandchildren, Jordan and Myhoa Spagnolo, Alyssa and Chase Orvis, Brady and Marielle Sherman, David Katic; also numerous nieces and nephews including Louis Chiri, Helen (Roger) Tessling and Patricia Davey.
Preceding her in death besides her parents was her husband, Nickolas Spagnolo in December of 1981; a son, David Spagnolo in March of 1984; also 12 siblings.
Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home with a parish prayer service to be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will also be held in the Bishop's Room of St. Peter Cathedral on Thursday from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the cathedral with Rev. John Boyle officiating. interment will take place in the Negaunee Cemetery.
Contributed on 4/21/16
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Record #: 103159