Mary Jean Vecellio, 87, longtime Gwinn resident, died Friday evening, February 9, 2018 at UP Health System Marquette.
Mary was born July 5, 1930 in Gwinn to Paul and Angeline (Catto) Zoppetti, graduated from Gwinn High School, Class of 1948. Following graduation she worked at the H.W. Gossard in Gwinn until she married Reynold ‘Notto’ Vecellio in 1950. They lived in the Negaunee and Ishpeming areas for a brief time before moving back to Gwinn in 1956, where she was a loving and devoted homemaker to her family.
Mrs. Vecellio was a devout member of St. Anthony Catholic Church where she spent many years working funeral lunches with her friends. In her spare time she enjoyed playing BINGO at the VFW in New Swanzy and at the American Legion, Little Lake. In her younger years she played slow pitch softball and was also a member of the ‘housewives’ bowling league.
Surviving are her daughter, Jean Armatti of Gwinn; son, Paul (Cathy Forchini) Vecellio of Gwinn, 6 grandchildren: Scott (Julie) Armatti, Amber (Mark) Mitchell, Tony (Zoey) Vecellio, Tara (Josh) Tolbert, Dakota (Ryan) Fountain, and Gareth Evans; 12 great-grandchildren: Jacob Miller, Chloe and Brooke Tolbert, Lily Evans, Will and Emily Fountain, Macie and Mia Mitchell, Rhys Armatti and Sidney, Bryce and Tyler Barger; a sister, Margaret LaFreniere; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Zoppetti; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and many wonderful friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Reynold E. ‘Notto’ Vecellio on October 30, 2008; son-in-law, Patrick Armatti; and brothers, Joe and Paul (Margie) Zoppetti; and brother-in-law, Bernie Lafreniere.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 15th at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Gwinn with Rev. Allen Mott officiating. Interment will be in the Gwinn Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10 am until the time of Mass at noon in the Baraga Room of St. Anthony on Thursday, and also at a luncheon in the church fellowship hall immediately following Mass.
Mary was loved by everyone. All her life she served others. From the moment she was old enough to do so, she gave everything she had and everything she was for the happiness of others.

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