Obituaries
Obituary for Mary Agnes Garramone
Peoria- Mary Agnes (Sardick) Garramone, age 84, of Peoria, died at 12:55 PM on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, strengthened by the sacraments and supported by the prayers and presence of her loving family.
Born in Denver, Colorado on January 28, 1932 to Frank and Agnes “Tootsie” (McNulty) Sardick, Mary attended Holy Family for grade school and high school, graduating in 1950. She then studied nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver and graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Leavenworth, Kansas, earning her degree as an RN. She married Ronald J. Garramone in 1957, moving to Peoria after he was hired at Caterpillar. They had five children: Angela (Gary) Frank of Manito, Martin (Tammy) Garramone of Austin TX, Fr. Dominic Garramone OSB of Peru, Eileen Anderson of Bluffton IN, and Vincent (Mary) Garramone of Aurora. They were divorced in 1969.
Mary spent 36 years employed at Saint Francis Hospital in various departments, becoming a nursing supervisor and eventually serving as director of surgical services. She enjoyed a well-deserved reputation for professionalism and excellence, and mentored many young nurses throughout her career. She retired from nursing in 1994, but continued as a Eucharistic minister in the hospital and as an active member of the Hospital Auxiliary and “Senior Saints.”
Always an enthusiastic baker and crafter, Mary engaged in a remarkable variety of hobbies, including bread and cookie baking, sewing, quilting, rubberstamp art, rug braiding and basketry. Her raisin bread won 21 times at the Heart of Illinois Fair, where she garnered hundreds of other ribbons in the culinary and domestic arts over the course of some 40 years of entering. She was active throughout her life in many civic and social organizations, including the Peoria County Homemakers (HCE), Catholic Nurses, Peoria Women’s Civic Federation, Cookie Cutter Collectors Club, Post Office Community Advisory Council, Land of Lincoln Basketweavers, Gems of the Prairie Quilting Guild, Eucharistic ministers and the Mother’s Club at St. Bernard Parish, and a group of fellow nurses and stitchers known as the “Mary Quilters.” She also had a passionate love for reading with a cup of tea close at hand, a practice she passed on to her children.
Mary’s Catholic faith and devoted family were the cornerstones of her life, and she spent her final days deeply comforted by both. She is survived by her children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 03, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Father Dominic Garramone will officiate and burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in West Peoria. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 02, 2016 between the hours of 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Wright & Salmon Mortuary. An additional visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to mass.
In lieu of flowers memorials in Mary’s memory may be made to Saint Bede Abbey or to Sophia’s Kitchen c/o Sacred Heart Parish.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging on www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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Born in Denver, Colorado on January 28, 1932 to Frank and Agnes “Tootsie” (McNulty) Sardick, Mary attended Holy Family for grade school and high school, graduating in 1950. She then studied nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver and graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Leavenworth, Kansas, earning her degree as an RN. She married Ronald J. Garramone in 1957, moving to Peoria after he was hired at Caterpillar. They had five children: Angela (Gary) Frank of Manito, Martin (Tammy) Garramone of Austin TX, Fr. Dominic Garramone OSB of Peru, Eileen Anderson of Bluffton IN, and Vincent (Mary) Garramone of Aurora. They were divorced in 1969.
Mary spent 36 years employed at Saint Francis Hospital in various departments, becoming a nursing supervisor and eventually serving as director of surgical services. She enjoyed a well-deserved reputation for professionalism and excellence, and mentored many young nurses throughout her career. She retired from nursing in 1994, but continued as a Eucharistic minister in the hospital and as an active member of the Hospital Auxiliary and “Senior Saints.”
Always an enthusiastic baker and crafter, Mary engaged in a remarkable variety of hobbies, including bread and cookie baking, sewing, quilting, rubberstamp art, rug braiding and basketry. Her raisin bread won 21 times at the Heart of Illinois Fair, where she garnered hundreds of other ribbons in the culinary and domestic arts over the course of some 40 years of entering. She was active throughout her life in many civic and social organizations, including the Peoria County Homemakers (HCE), Catholic Nurses, Peoria Women’s Civic Federation, Cookie Cutter Collectors Club, Post Office Community Advisory Council, Land of Lincoln Basketweavers, Gems of the Prairie Quilting Guild, Eucharistic ministers and the Mother’s Club at St. Bernard Parish, and a group of fellow nurses and stitchers known as the “Mary Quilters.” She also had a passionate love for reading with a cup of tea close at hand, a practice she passed on to her children.
Mary’s Catholic faith and devoted family were the cornerstones of her life, and she spent her final days deeply comforted by both. She is survived by her children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 03, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Father Dominic Garramone will officiate and burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in West Peoria. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 02, 2016 between the hours of 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Wright & Salmon Mortuary. An additional visitation will be held 30 minutes prior to mass.
In lieu of flowers memorials in Mary’s memory may be made to Saint Bede Abbey or to Sophia’s Kitchen c/o Sacred Heart Parish.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging on www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Wednesday
2
Nov
7:00 PM
- 9:00 PM
Wright & Salmon Mortuary
2416 N. North Street
Peoria, IL 61604
Visitation
Thursday
3
Nov
10:30 AM
- 11:00 AM
St. Bernard Catholic Church
509 E Kansas
Peoria, IL 61603
Funeral Mass
Thursday
3
Nov
11:00 AM
St. Bernard Catholic Church
509 E Kansas
Peoria, IL 61603
Cemetery Details
Location
St. Joseph Cemetery
2105 W. Heading Ave.
West Peoria, IL 61604
Memorial Contribution
St. Bede Abbey
http://www.stbedeabbey.org/
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