Nancy R. Finnila
Negaunee
Nancy Rhae Finnila, 80, of 1100 Keewaydin St., Negaunee, passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, January 19, 2016 at her daughter’s home in the loving care of her family and U.P. Home Health and Hospice.
Nancy was born May 9, 1935 in Ishpeming to Wilfred and Clemence (LaPointe) Vizena, graduated from Negaunee High School and was a lifelong Negaunee resident. Following high school, Nancy was employed as a butcher at Russo Brothers Supermarket, and also worked at the H.W. Gossard Co. and Merricks. She married Eino Finnila on December 18, 1954.
Mrs. Finnila was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee where she also taught Sunday School. She also belonged to the Negaunee VFW Ladies Auxiliary. In her free time, Nancy enjoyed volunteering through the Senior Center, spending time at the Helen Lake camp, playing Bingo and crocheting. She was a wonderful cook and loved cooking during the holidays; she was known for her famous pork pie and parker house rolls. Most of all, Nancy enjoyed being with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are her son, Michael (Lori) Finnila of Negaunee; two daughters, Nancy (Tony) Vilona and Tresa (Gary) Parkkonen, both of Negaunee; her brother, Robert ‘Crow’ (Louise) Vizena of Negaunee; her sister, Joyce Jefferys of Detroit; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and her favorite companion, Sisu. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Eino Finnila in 1994; her daughter Marcy Ruohomaki in 2011; brother, Wilfred ‘Poly’ Vizena; and four sisters: Emily Kellow, Bernice Sharf, Jeannette Mainville and Margaret Mitchell.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Friday, January 22nd with Monsignor Peter Oberto officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:00 am until the time of services at 11:00 am at the church on Friday, and also at a luncheon immediately following the Funeral Mass. Mrs. Finnila’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery.
Nancy’s memorial page may be viewed at www.koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.