Mary Anne (Bianchi) Cronican

Mary Anne (Bianchi) Cronican

August 25, 1935 – December 3, 2020

 

Mary Anne, 85, passed away December 3, 2020 in Omaha.

Mary Anne was born to William and Julia (Gruber) Cronican.  She was the 6thof 8 children and grew up in South Omaha, Nebraska.  She graduated from South High in 1953 and later from Omaha University.  She sang and worked her way through college to become a primary teacher.  She married Anthony James Bianchi on October 25, 1960; together they welcomed 5 children.  Mary Anne then decided to give up teaching and focus on raising her children and they kept her on her toes!

After her children were grown, Mary Anne focused her energy on others she could help – she was a bit of a magnet for people who needed a prayer warrior, a shoulder to lean on, or some good sound advice.  She loved attending daily mass and made it the central point of her daily plans.  Mary Anne had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and spent many hours in prayer saying the rosary and reflecting on the lives of Mary and Jesus.  She began a Cenacle prayer group around 1990, which had several spin offs, and her efforts are still alive today!  Above all, she loved the Blessed Mother and Jesus Christ and made it her mission to help people to know them.

Mary Anne also loved to travel.  She traversed the globe several times over to connect with extended family, see the world, and make pilgrimages to many holy places – some more than once!  She also loved singing, dancing, golfing, nature, animals and adjectives.  Nothing was ever just “nice”; rather, it was awesome, beautiful, gorgeous, delightful, amazing, fantastic, or glorious!! She saw the beauty of God’s greatness in literally everything around her.  Despite her 85 years, she never grew old; preferring to view the world through the eyes of a youngster.  We are consoled in knowing she is singing and dancing with the angels now.

Mary Anne was preceded in death by her parents, William and Julia Cronican; son, James William Bianchi; sisters, Elizabeth Dyer and Dorothy Higgins; brothers: William, Patrick, and Leonard.

Mary Anne is survived by her children: Michael (Sunny) Bianchi, Benjamin Bianchi, Matthew (Jennifer) Bianchi, Juliet (Douglas) de Shazer and her 11 grandchildren: Samantha, Anthony, Benjamin, Gabriel, James, Dominic, Grace, Mary, Andrew, Madalynne, and Gavin.  She is also survived by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Lillian (Joe) Vukov, Joan (Ron) Ulrich as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

VISITATION observing CDC guidelines: Thursday, December 10th from 5:30pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, with SCRIPTURAL ROSARY SERVICE at 7pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, December 11th at 10am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church (11802 Pacific St.) with Fr. Dan Andrews officiating.  Interment, Resurrection Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to the family.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service, Mass, and Graveside Service, go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Service” button on the home page.

 

10 Comments

  • JoAnne Klosner Posted December 7, 2020 12:29 pm

    My prayers go to the family of Mary Anne. She and I loved to sing together in the 1980’s and we spent a week in Washington D.C..God be with her!

  • Susan Peters Posted December 7, 2020 2:36 pm

    Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We are going to miss seeing the lights on in her kitchen and her smiling face at Mass. I know she is in a better place, but it still makes my heart hurt.

  • Pat (Pecha) Pedersen Posted December 9, 2020 11:30 am

    My heartfelt condolences to the family. Mary Anne (Mrs. Bianchi) was my 3rd grade teacher (1961-1962) at St. Adalbert’s Grade School. She left quite an impression on our young minds. She was our first lay teacher and we will always remember she lived in the ranch house that was on the full block along Hanscom Blvd. Rest In Peace and know that you touched so many lives.

  • Mary Ann Dunning Posted December 9, 2020 12:57 pm

    We would like to express our condolences to Mary Anne’s family and tell them of our gratitude to her for being instrumental in starting our Melodrama productions in 1976. The tradition has continued, and this would have been our 46th production. Though the Virus has cancelled us this year, the show will go on!
    Thank you, Mary Anne
    SJ/SEA Melodrama Troupe

  • Jeannie Juul Posted December 10, 2020 10:28 am

    Mary Anne and my Mother meet in November, 2012 when my dad was staying at Brookstone rehabilitation after a stroke. She was there also, a few doors down from my Dad’s room recovering from knee surgery, and she quickly won over our families hearts. I continued to see her on occasion after my mother died. I was going to drop off some Christmas candy I make every year to her today, I saw instead that she died just a few days ago.. Such a special, exuberant lady. And more so than anyone I’ve known, she loved her Savior.

  • Bill Hall Posted December 10, 2020 3:50 pm

    She was a great person and deeply loved her family

  • Father William Fizgerald Posted December 10, 2020 5:31 pm

    God grant rest to Mary Anne a really devout and kind friend. Condolences to the family. I will offer mass here for her. Love to all…Fr. Fitz

  • Shirley Andrews Posted December 10, 2020 6:12 pm

    I will miss my dear friend so badly. Met in about 1955 through her sister, Lil. We could discuss anything! Her love of the Lord was constant. She shared Him with anyone she met. So much more. One of a kind. Easy to love and be-friend. Pain-free, Mary Anne! She suffered so much the past two years.😰😰😰😰♥️♥️♥️♥️!

  • Chris Searl Posted December 11, 2020 6:48 am

    Bianchi family, please accept my sincere condolences. Mary Anne was a beautiful soul. She always welcomed me and made me feel at home in her home. I have very fond memories of your mom. Please know that your mom and family will be lifted up in my prayers. May Mary Anne rest in peace.

  • Deb Andersen Posted December 11, 2020 9:11 am

    Thinking of you all. Mary Anne lived life to the fullest. May your memories of her warm your heart. Our heartfelt condolences to the family. (Leonard’s step-daughter) Deb

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