Mary Barra Podeschi

TAYLORVILLE - Mary Barra Podeschi, 103, of Taylorville, IL died at 7:05 pm, Thursday, June 24, 2010 at her residence. She was born August 19, 1906 in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Pietro Michele (Peter Michael) Barra and Caterina (Catherine) Mecca-Ferroglia Barra. She was brought to Taylorville as an infant, to the city's coal mining suburb of Hewittville where her father was employed at the then "New Mine", Peabody Mine No. 58. She lived in Taylorville her entire lifetime, for over 103 years. She attended Taylorville Schools beginning in 1912 at the original South School (the old Hewittville School). She graduated in 1924 from Taylorville Township High School and was one of the school's oldest living graduates. In 1924 she married Antonio "Tony" Podeschi at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Taylorville, after which she joined her husband in his business, Taylorville Wholesale Grocery Company. She was a homemaker most of her life. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Taylorville. She is survived by her daughter, Norma Christine Driscoll of Hinsdale; sons: John Battista Podeschi and wife Gwen of Taylorville and Peter Michael Podeschi of Taylorville. Ten grandchildren: Peter Driscoll and wife Colleen of Kenilworth, Mary Driscoll Ragin and husband Charles of Tucson, AZ, James Driscoll and wife Alexandra of Willowbrook, Michael Driscoll of Brookfield, Patrice Kennedy and husband Joseph of Sarasota, FL, Catherine Bilyeu of Sarasota, FL, Paula Hager of Edinburg, Anthony "Tony" Podeschi of Sarasota, FL, Emily Christine Podeschi and Mark Walter Podeschi both of Taylorville. There are numerous great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved sister Christine Barra; husband Tony who preceded her in death on August 18, 1989, one son, James Anthony Podeschi, and one daughter Barbara Catherine Podeschi; her aunt, Domenica Barra Crusiglia Cargnino, and by her sole American cousins, Mary Crusiglia Harmon and Margaret Crusiglia. She also leaves cousins in the Piedmont region of Italy, especially around Monastero di Lanzo, where both her parents were born. She was proud of her Piedmontese heritage, spoke the language, travelled there, and retained family land and family ties there. Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am Monday, June 28, 2010 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Taylorville with Father Alan Hunter officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. A private family visitation will be held beginning at 10:00 am in the church. McClure Funeral Home, Taylorville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp