Nora Cerasoli

Nora Josephine Cerasoli, 89, of Marquette, MI (formerly 104 E. Fleshiem St, Iron Mountain, MI) died peacefully in her home surrounded by family and Lake Superior Hospice on December 16, 2010. But most significantly, she left this earth with her favorite little girl by her side, her great granddaughter, Jazzlyn Jo who’s five. Nora was born on March 18, 1921 in Hardwood, MI, seventh in a string of twelve children. She is survived by a son, Ron (Patricia) Cerasoli, daughter-in-law, Sheri Cerasoli, grandchildren, Todd (Patty) Cerasoli, Rhonda (Roland) Beeck, Lisa (Pete) Cerasoli Weaver, Lora Cerasoli, Rick (Jen) Cerasoli, and great grandchildren, Trish (Mike) Sippola, Krista and Miranda Steinbrecher, Brock and Jazzlyn Jo Weaver, and Jacob Richard Cerasoli. Also surviving her are three beautiful, sweet and spunky sisters, Vern Schei, Ila (Ralph) Pelletier, Aggie Massie and one older sister, Irella Raiche, also sister-in-law Nelda Fornetti. Both her husband, Fritz, and youngest son, Richard “Dick,” preceded her in death, along with parents John & Mary McMahon, and siblings Ralph, Helen (Backlund), Harold, George, Pat, Billy and Ruthie (Robinette). Fritz & Nora met when she was just fourteen. Her “claim to fame” was that he was the only man she ever kissed. They were married for sixty-seven years. Nora loved cooking. She sold Italian food and pasties professionally for over twenty years. This was after a long stint at Montgomery Wards. She was also a fantastic gardener and enjoyed walking. She spent her life with a smile plastered on her pretty face while making sure any and all near dwellers received full doses of love and her famous home cooking. She always said, “I was born Irish but converted to Italian when I married Fritz. Although she could no longer live on her own after the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, she remained fiesty, funny, and with the help of family, lived life to the fullest. And she loved to sing. Her favorite song was, “Let’s Make Believe That We’re Happy,” by Kitty Wells. And even in her final days she continued to sing, which brought simultaneous laughter and tears to a room packed with loved ones. She will be missed dearly, but is finally free to spend all of eternity with her beloved youngest son and “the only man she ever kissed.” The funeral service will be on Saturday at 11:00am at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. Fr. Michael Woempner will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in Cemetery Park in Iron Mountain. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Nora Cerasoli online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.

Nora Cerasoli

December 16, 1921 - December 16, 2010