Mary Margaret Geronimi

Mary Margaret Geronimi (Altobello) January 30, 1939 - June 25, 2023 Mary Margaret Geronimi, long time resident of Kingsford, passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was 84. Mary was born on January 30, 1939 minutes behind her identical twin Barbara, in Ishpeming, MI to Leonard and Florence (Basolo) Altobello. Mary met Dean Geronimi at a chance meeting at a Newberry Hospital where she was a social worker. They began a relationship and married on August 10, 1963, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ishpeming. After marrying and moving to Kingsford, Mary was a substitute teacher for Breitung Township Schools but later found her dream job at the Dickinson County Library. Starting part-time in September of 1974, Mary filled in wherever there was a need. In February of 1978, Mary became a full time Librarian. Her coworkers at the library became family, she loved her job and looked forward to her days working there. Mary continued in that role for 24 years, retiring in June 2002. However, Mary missed the library so much she went back part time in September 2005. She resigned from the library in 2021 due to COVID 19 restraints after working there for 44 years. Mary passed on her love of libraries, books and reading to her grandchildren. Mary loved the Ishpeming and Marquette area. Mary was a 1961 graduate of Northern Michigan University in Marquette and loved Lake Superior. She was proud of her heritage and would visit Marquette, especially Presque Isle, whenever she could, taking in the views or dipping her toes in her beloved Lake Superior. Mary was an avid Racquetball player and would challenge her children, nieces, or friends to games. Mary loved cross country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter. Mary enjoyed making pasties or ravioli but would keep her recipes secret only passing them on to family members if they promised not to tell anyone else. But above everything else, Mary loved her family, especially her children and grandchildren. Mary is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dean A. Geronimi of Kingsford; her two daughters, Stephanie (Phil) Bellant of Mt. Morris and Anastasia Czappa of Quinnesec; her grandchildren Alex Whisler, Jimmy Galbraith, and Grace Czappa; her brother, Leonard (Judy) Altobello; her brother-in-law, Harvey Miller; sister-in-law, Mary; several nieces and nephews but especially Jaimee (Kyle) Dorian, Myssy (Scott) Hamlin, Roberta Richard, John Coughlin; special friend, Bryan Carter; and her 4 legged friend, Lady, whom she loved dearly. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Florence Altobello; her identical twin sister Barbara Miller, and her son, Stephen Geronimi. Visitation will be held 9:00 am - 10:30 am on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Kingsford Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Kingsford at 11:00 AM. Msgr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery. We especially want to thank Maryhill Manor of Niagara, WI, for the wonderful care provided to Mary during her final days, especially the RN Nurses Janice, Jean and Cindy, the CNA’s and all the staff of Unit C. The compassion, kindness and care they showed to Mary and our family was very much appreciated; they made those long days more bearable, so Thank you! Condolences may be expressed to the family of Mary Margaret Geronimi online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.