Mary Spoto Obituary

Mary Spoto was more than our special Aunt. She and my Uncle "Babe" lived with us (The Catalano Family) in Grand Rapids, MI when they first got married. Later in her life they built a beautiful home behind us on Michael Ave.,Grand Rapids, Mich. She and I cooked together, laughed together and she was like a mother to me when my first child Cathy was born. She and I talked on the phone for hours when she moved on to Florida after her husband "Uncle Babe" died and when she moved to Colorado with Sandy. She and my Mother were more like sisters and spent their time together in Florida. I feel truly blessed to have had her in our life and I'm sure that not a day will go by that I won't think of her. My Husband Bob had a special bond with her because he too is "Croatian", and they sure could share some stories together. What a gal my Aunt Mary was, we'll always love and remember her!

I was fortunate to have Mary Spoto be a part of my life. She was truly a dear Mother–In - Law and friend. Her grandchildren Nicki, Emilee, Marie and Michael will always hold their “Nani” close to their harts. She shared special times with all of us rather it be plucking the family chicken with her son Gary, or going fishing and having to keep every fish to cook, even though most were too small to qualify as keepers. Nick and her shared special times when she was younger, she would spend hours in front of the mirror fixing her hair, only to have Nicki pull out every ribbon or barrette Nani had just put in a half hour ago. Nani loved to chase Emilee trying to pinch her “little coolly”, which Emilee loved as their eyes wide open, running around from each other, the house would fill with giggles from everyone. Her little one Marie, she could not wait for, as she had me take every home remedy just so Marie would be born before she went home to Fl, which they did not work for me, but she swore they did for her. Michael she loved him, as Gary was to her the “bonus baby” Michael is to Gary and me. I will never forget the tears of joy when we told her Michael’s middle name Alphonse was in remembrance of her beloved husband. But most of all, I will not forget her fabulous recipes and our times sitting at the kitchen table before everyone woke up having our coffee and giggling all morning about her childhood stories. We are all truly blessed, to have such a wonderful woman be part of our lives. Although Gary and I have gone our separate ways, these were good times and will not be forgotten as her memories will be close to our harts and of course, her recipes will always be traditions in my house.