Mary Guzzardo

Mary Guzzardo, age 95 entered eternal life peacefully and surrounded by her family in Utica, Michigan on January 23, 2025. As his beloved wife of over 73 years, she is survived by her husband, Sam Guzzardo and their seven children. Michael (Mindy) Guzzardo, David (Tonya) Guzzardo, Robert (Lauren) Guzzardo, Larry (Betsy) Guzzardo, Marc (Donna) Guzzardo, Mary Margaret (Alan) Crummey and Anne Marie (Joe) Redoutey and former daughter-in-law Barbara Guzzardo.
Loving grandma of Evan (Evan Bai) Fowler-Guzzardo, Tyler (Katharina) Guzzardo, Sarah Guzzardo, Gina (Anthony) Assad, Olivia Guzzardo, Nicolas Guzzardo, Anthony Guzzardo, Joseph (Lindsay) Guzzardo, Marcelina (Kevin) Jenks, Tatiana Harr, Nikolai Harr, Jaclyn (Justin) Roh, Kathryn Crummey, Maria (Michael) Hua, Jenny Redoutey, Kristin Redoutey and great grandma of Carter, Grayson and Olivia Jenks and Bruno Guzzardo. Mary is also survived by her sister Virginia (late Paul) Spica and was the proud aunt to 38 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Carmella and Saverio Biafora and her brother Louis (Mary) Biafora.
Mary was born in the town of San Giovanni in Fiori in Calabria, Italy, and came to this country at just two years old. She was fiercely loyal to her husband and family, her friends, and her faith. These are qualities that shaped every aspect of her life.
Mary and Sam married at age 21 and together raised seven children with their example of love and commitment throughout their 73 years together. After raising her children, Mary entered college and then the workforce. She took great pride in working for the Better Business Bureau as the manager of the GM Arbitration program for nearly 20 years.
What may have truly defined Mary was her unwavering faith. As a founding member of both St. Angela and later St. Therese, she was integral in starting the teen club, she taught religious education for decades, and served as a lector. Mary found joy and fulfillment in sharing the word of God with others. She gave of herself selflessly, and her faith was not just something she spoke about but something she lived every day. Of all the roles Mary played in her life, the one she held closest to her heart was that of Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. She showed us the importance of family, the value of faith, and the strength of love.
Our family would like to give special thanks to those who helped us care for her over this last year. Our "Team Mary" was second to none! We thank Reanna and Kenya and the team at Kindred Hearts, Yvette, Renae, Debbie and Paula; without all of you, we would not have been able to care for Mary at home.
A funeral mass will take place at St. Therese of Lisieux, 48114 Schoehnerr Road in Shelby Township on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 11 am. A visitation will be held beforehand, from 9:30 am until the 11 am mass.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to a charity of your choice or two of Mary's favorites: Capuchin Retreat Center ~ www.capretreat.org or St. Therese of Lisieux Church ~ www.STOL.church