Mary Frances Fucinaro

Mary Frances Fucinaro

February 28, 1924 – July 31, 2020

Mary Frances Fucinaro, 96, of Omaha passed away peacefully of natural causes on July 31, 2020, surrounded by her family who loved her dearly.  Preceded in death by husband, Don Fucinaro; parents, Frances and John Battiato; brothers, Russell and Charles.  Survived by brothers, John Jr., and Father Ron Battiato; daughters, Ann Hewitt (Scott) and Donna Upton (Tom); sons: Mike, Ron (Diane) and Dan; grandchildren: Caleb, Nathan, Sarah, Rachel (Leno), Ryan (Jade), Derek, Clay, and Marissa (Alex); great-grandchildren, Alex and Lucas; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mary was born in Fremont, NE.  She was the only daughter of John and Frances Battiato with 4 brothers – Russell, Charles, John Jr., and Ron.  Her father was the founder of Battiato Shoe Repair, still a thriving business two generations later.  Mary excelled in school, especially in typing and shorthand, graduating from Fremont High School in 1942.  She did secretarial work for companies in Fremont, Omaha, and, for one summer, in Long Beach, CA.

Mary met the love of her life and future husband Don Fucinaro at a dance in Omaha in the mid-1950s.  Mary and Don married on November 19, 1957 at St Patrick Catholic Church in Fremont, NE and settled in Ralston, NE.  Don later would become the co-owner of Fucinaro Excavating Company with his brother Tony.  Mary and Don raised five children—Ann, Mike, Ron, Donna and Dan.  They taught their children the values of hard work, respect for others, and brought them up in their Catholic faith.

Mary loved to sew, crochet, cook and read.  She worked hard to keep her house ever spotless.  Family was everything for Mary and Don.  They put their children above themselves, nurturing their learning and encouraging their hobbies.  Mary’s and Don’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were their absolute joy.

After the death of Don in 2008, Mary continued to live in her Ralston house until 2017.  She then moved to Fountain View Assisted Living for three years, making deep friendships with her fellow residents as well as with the nurses and staff.  Following various health issues, Mary spent her last few months at Josie Harper Hospice House where she was cared for with great compassion and kindness.

Mary was loved by her family, her friends, and all who assisted her in her health needs.  She will be forever missed and forever loved.

VISITATION observing CDC guidelines: Wednesday, August 5th from 4pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, August 6th at 10am at St. Gerald Catholic Church, 9602 “Q” St. in Ralston.  Interment: Calvary Cemetery.  Memorials are suggested to St. Gerald Catholic Church in Ralston or St. Patrick Catholic Church in Fremont.

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

The family kindly requests masks and distancing for everyone’s safety.

 

18 Comments

  • Ellen Battiato Moeller Posted August 1, 2020 10:46 am

    Dear Ann, Mike, Ron, Donna, Dan, Father Ron, and John Jr,
    I am so sorry for your loss. I am thankful I was able to see Mary in February before the pandemic. I really enjoyed our visit. She was such a kind, generous, beautiful, affirming person throughout her life. My dad always looked forward to her calls and visits. We all loved Mary. May God give you strength, peace, and hope during this difficult time. Love and prayers

  • Lou Battiato Shilton Posted August 2, 2020 11:21 am

    Ever since I was a little girl my Aunt Mary has always been a special woman in my life. I’m grateful for many memories of visits with her at family gatherings and celebrations. My favorite times were when I was able to sit down, just the two of us, and chat. She was always so interested in me and listened intently as she asked questions about my live and what I doing. I have never known a better listener! The following quote by Henry Ward Beecher reminds me of her: “There are persons so radiant, so genial, so kind, so pleasure-bearing that you instinctively feel in their presence that they do you good; whose coming into a room is like the bringing of a lamp there.” My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of her children, grandchildren, and those close to her. She will be remembered and cherished and her life is to be celebrated!

  • Steve and Deb Couch Posted August 2, 2020 11:30 am

    Aunt Mary is the sweetest, nicest, most accepting person ever. If you met her you loved her… And she loved you! We pray for the repose of her soul and for the family that mourns her. The joyful reunion in heaven just welcomed a truly beautiful soul. Peace and love from Steve and Deb

  • Nick Battiato Posted August 2, 2020 1:16 pm

    To all of my cousins we send condolences from Indianapolis. Aunt Mary was a special person in so many of our lives. We all loved visiting with her at her home and when she made the trip here. My dad, John, my wife Cindy , and I were in town last June and got to spend some quality time with her and her children. Thanks for all the good memories. May God bless each and everyone through this trying and sad time.

  • Mary Lou Moran Posted August 2, 2020 8:52 pm

    Our deepest sympathies to the family. Aunt Mary was such a beautiful person and a wonderful Aunt. She was always more interested in what we were doing, full of wit and as I became older saw her appreciation of humor. She will be sorely missed. Sending our prayers and thoughts your way.
    Love,
    Mary Lou Steve Leeann & Jennifer

  • Kenneth Herman Posted August 3, 2020 8:38 am

    To Mary’s family: I became acquainted with Mary through my wife, Margaret, and John and Lorry Gomez. She was a friendly lady with a pleasant greeting and smile. I attended some family celebrations and remember the hospitality and food. May her soul Rest In Peace. Ken Herman

    • Donna Upton Posted August 11, 2020 3:20 pm

      Ken, Thank you for your condolences and kind words about our mother. Your support during this time is much appreciated! Thank you from the entire Fucinaro family.

  • Jeff Miller Posted August 3, 2020 4:40 pm

    Dan & Ron, sorry for your loss. Sending Prayers to You & the Family. 🙏

  • The Samuelson Family Posted August 4, 2020 8:55 am

    Dan, and the entire Fucinaro family,

    All of you have our utmost condolences in the loss of your mom, sister, aunt, grandma, great-grandma and aunt.

  • John Valentine Posted August 4, 2020 3:46 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers go out to our Nebraska family. Aunt Mary had a wonderful smile and was always so kind to everyone. She will be deeply missed.

  • Mary Jo Schnepf Posted August 5, 2020 2:49 pm

    Aunt Mary was such a joy to all who knew and loved her. I was blessed to be named after her and to be the third generation to carry the name Frances as my chosen Confirmation name. One thing she always told me was that she said the rosary daily for everyone in her family. My thanks to Ann for setting up a FaceTime call with her on my birthday in April. She was in great spirits and was in awe of the technology for us to see and talk to each other. Our Sympathy, prayers and love, Mary Jo, Carl, Chris, and Ryan Schnepf and their families.

  • Stacey Valentine Posted August 5, 2020 6:06 pm

    Our deepest sympathies to the family. Aunt Mary was such a beautiful person. Love, Stacey, George, Isabella and Athena

  • Patti Marescalco Posted August 5, 2020 7:57 pm

    Dear Ann, Mike, Ron, Donna, Dan, Father Ron, and John Jr,
    I met Mary at Fountain View for the first time in 2019.
    Mary was a very sweet Woman and always greeted Me in a kind manner.
    I had the opportunity to visit with Her often and enjoyed that thoroughly

    I am thinking of You All at this difficult time.

  • Jacque Gruber Battiato Posted August 5, 2020 8:25 pm

    To all the Battiato/Fucinaro Family, I send my sympathy and prayers. Mary was the most sincerely sweetest lady I have ever known. Her smile lit up the room and that special twinkle in her eye let through her sense of humor too. I remember her always having goodies of some kind for any meal you shared with her and Don. Chocolate cake was a favorite. Her kindness and compassion was always offered unselfishly. Mary always made me feel like an important part of the family. She definitely will be missed by all who had the privilege of being her a friend or family member.

  • Cheri Bailey Posted August 5, 2020 10:52 pm

    My Mom and Dad (Kathie & Fred Precht) lived at Fountain View and that is where I met Mary. My Dad passed in Sept. of 2018 and Mary was so concerned for my Mom. She checked on my Mom many times. Mom loved to play bingo but didn’t want to go alone. I live in Kansas so I only got up to Omaha once a month and took Mom to play bingo and that’s when I met Mary our angel. I asked Mary if she would take Mom to bingo with her and of course the answer was “yes”. Mary would come get Mom and they would go to bingo together 3 times a week. My Mom passed away on Sunday, July 26th also at Josie Harper Hospice House. I know Mary and Mom are reunited now in heaven playing bingo with my Dad and Mary’s husband. My deepest condolences for the loss of your angel, Mary! May you feel God’s comforting arms around each of you as He provides strength and comfort for you at this difficult time. I watched the vigil service this evening and it was beautiful. Prayers for your entire family.

    • Donna Upton Posted August 11, 2020 3:18 pm

      Cheri, Thank you so much for your condolences and kind words. My mom loved spending time with your mom especially during bingo at Fountain View. I was fortunate enough to be able to go to bingo on Mondays with them. Your mom was always the quiet winner!! We are so grateful for the friends our mom made during her time there. I was saddened to hear of your mom passing as well. So our condolences go out to you and your family too. Times are difficult right now but rest assured that you and your family are in our prayers. Donna Upton

  • Christi Gant Posted August 6, 2020 7:50 am

    Dan , Ron, and Family , Sending thoughts and prayers to your family during this difficult time.

  • Thomas C Battiato Posted August 7, 2020 3:54 pm

    I’ve been hearing a lot about Aunt Mary’s chocolate cake, and it’s true, of course.

    But what I remember most was Aunt Mary’s fruit-laced jello salads. She was the original 1960’s mom who found a pleasant way to get us kids to eat healthy fruits for snacks.

    Whether going to that house on the hill as a kid for the holidays, or driving my parents there for a vist whenever I returned to Nebraska as an adult, Aunt Mary always knew how to make everyone feel welcome.

    The world would be a much better place if there were more people just like her in it!

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