The Life of MARY ELIZABETH NICHOLS FAZIO
A Mother’s Love Sent from above He sent the very best.
Our mother departed from this life to be reunited in Christ with her husband of 63 years on Saturday, July 10, 2010 comforted by her loving children at her side. She faced ovarian cancer and chemotherapy for the past 8 months with acceptance, grace and dignity at age 83.
Mary Elizabeth was born on October 8, 1926 in Spickard, MO. She was the eleventh of twelve children to Herbert and Bertha (Loveland) Nichols, and raised in farming communities around Missouri and Iowa. She attended a one-room school house near Elkhart, Iowa, where she played girls’ basketball during her high school years. She graduated from White Oak High School in 1944.
Upon graduation, she worked at the Ordinance Plant in Ankeny, IA where she met her husband, Joseph R. “Pepe” Fazio. They married on September 1, 1945 and spent almost their entire lives on the north side of Des Moines raising six children. Mary retired from JC Penney as an associate in the mid 1990’s, a job she enjoyed after many years as a homemaker.
Our mother’s fondest achievement in life was making a home and caring for her husband and family. Her love and devotion was an inspiration to all who knew her.
Among her children’s fondest memories were their mother’s way of preparing special family meals, setting aside time for each child, and always first to lend a helping hand. She is our forever HERO.
She was known for her homemade Italian recipes taught by Grandma Fazio, her famous lemon pound cake, an accomplished seamstress until 2000, and keeping a well organized home.
She enjoyed being involved in her children’s school activities during their youth, and was a long time parishioner of All Saint’s Catholic Church. During the last few years of her life, she discovered a love for quilting, and her new found quilting “sisters”.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Joseph R. “Pepe” Fazio- deceased 9/2/08, 8 brothers, 2 sisters, a few nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Left to cherish her memory are her six loving children, Nancy, Jim, Joe, Mary, Terri (Doug Campbell), Michelle (David Boos); one remaining sister, Helen Fitzsimmons from CA; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and neighbors, extended family, Lisa Fazio.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 16, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines, IA. Funeral Mass will start at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2010 with one hour visitation prior to services. Luncheon will immediately follow mass with inurnment at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, IA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials per our mother’s wishes are to be directed to: All Saint’s Catholic Church, Mercy Hospital Oncology Unit, 8th floor, There’s a Monkey in My Chair- a children’s charity with The Love Chloe Foundation, c/o Michelle Boos, all in her loving memory.
Special thanks to: Dr’s. L. Mirsky, D. Turner and D. Schnoor and their office, Mercy Oncology, Mercy Hospice Home Care, Dr. Thomas Mallisee and the Mercy Ultrasound Department.
This earth has lost a kind and gentle angel to which our lives will never be the same.
Our mother departed from this life to be reunited in Christ with her husband of 63 years on Saturday, July 10, 2010 comforted by her loving children at her side. She faced ovarian cancer and chemotherapy for the past 8 months with acceptance, grace and dignity at age 83.
Mary Elizabeth was born on October 8, 1926 in Spickard, MO. She was the eleventh of twelve children to Herbert and Bertha (Loveland) Nichols, and raised in farming communities around Missouri and Iowa. She attended a one-room school house near Elkhart, Iowa, where she played girls’ basketball during her high school years. She graduated from White Oak High School in 1944.
Upon graduation, she worked at the Ordinance Plant in Ankeny, IA where she met her husband, Joseph R. “Pepe” Fazio. They married on September 1, 1945 and spent almost their entire lives on the north side of Des Moines raising six children. Mary retired from JC Penney as an associate in the mid 1990’s, a job she enjoyed after many years as a homemaker.
Our mother’s fondest achievement in life was making a home and caring for her husband and family. Her love and devotion was an inspiration to all who knew her.
Among her children’s fondest memories were their mother’s way of preparing special family meals, setting aside time for each child, and always first to lend a helping hand. She is our forever HERO.
She was known for her homemade Italian recipes taught by Grandma Fazio, her famous lemon pound cake, an accomplished seamstress until 2000, and keeping a well organized home.
She enjoyed being involved in her children’s school activities during their youth, and was a long time parishioner of All Saint’s Catholic Church. During the last few years of her life, she discovered a love for quilting, and her new found quilting “sisters”.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Joseph R. “Pepe” Fazio- deceased 9/2/08, 8 brothers, 2 sisters, a few nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Left to cherish her memory are her six loving children, Nancy, Jim, Joe, Mary, Terri (Doug Campbell), Michelle (David Boos); one remaining sister, Helen Fitzsimmons from CA; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and neighbors, extended family, Lisa Fazio.
Visitation will be held on Friday, July 16, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines, IA. Funeral Mass will start at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2010 with one hour visitation prior to services. Luncheon will immediately follow mass with inurnment at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, IA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials per our mother’s wishes are to be directed to: All Saint’s Catholic Church, Mercy Hospital Oncology Unit, 8th floor, There’s a Monkey in My Chair- a children’s charity with The Love Chloe Foundation, c/o Michelle Boos, all in her loving memory.
Special thanks to: Dr’s. L. Mirsky, D. Turner and D. Schnoor and their office, Mercy Oncology, Mercy Hospice Home Care, Dr. Thomas Mallisee and the Mercy Ultrasound Department.
This earth has lost a kind and gentle angel to which our lives will never be the same.
