Mary Ann Vercellino
Mary Ann (Wineland) Vercellino passed from this life on Monday, August 21, 2023 in the presence of her family, and in particular her loving husband, Al, of sixty-one years. Though Mary ultimately succumbed to dementia she maintained her loving kindness to the very end. If one word was used to describe Mary, it would be kind. Kindness, service to others and old-fashioned hard work were at the core of her being.
Mary was born on January 29, 1941, and grew up in Hudson, Michigan, the daughter of Elwin and Blondie Wineland. As a farmer’s daughter she became acquainted with hard work at a young age. It was at Hudson High that she met Al and they began their lifetime journey together. While in Charlotte she operated an in-home day care, providing love, and practical wisdom to dozens of children and their parents. Her sons have many fond memories of her including waking up almost daily to the delicious scent of her baking.
Al and Mary enjoyed nearly thirty years of retirement. For the first five years they traveled the country, full-timing it in their fifth wheel. They loved the freedom of the simple life and experienced many beautiful places while also enjoying hiking and fishing. They eventually settled in Key West where they resided for twenty years. Mary invariably found herself gardening at her home (and those around her) and going on daily bike rides with Al. It was there she met the second love of her life, Lucky, the homeless dog they adopted that was their faithful companion for many years.
Surviving Mary are her husband, Al; sons, Dave (Jodi) and Steve (Margie); brother, Phil (Phyllis) Wineland; sister, Connie (Dave) Tranel; as well as ten grandchildren: Joe (Heather) Vercellino, Dan Vercellino, Robin (Adam) Rogers, Andrea (Will) Vercellino, Sandra Vercellino, David Vercellino, Ben Vercellino, Mitchell (Leahla) Vercellino, Conner (Lindsay) Vercellino, and Alexis (Tyler) Garmen; as well as nine beautiful great-grandchildren (and one on the way).
The family would like to thank the devoted staff of Arden Court Memory Care in Livonia for their loving kindness and service to Mary and our family. She was a staff favorite. Everyone truly loved Mary and she will be greatly missed.
A memorial for the family will be scheduled later. Rather than flowers the family encourages donations in her memory to the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Charlotte (621 S. Jefferson, Charlotte, MI 48813).