Maureen Loretta Gatt

Maureen Loretta Gatt – Loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Maureen Loretta Gatt always said the best time of her life was the time she spent raising her children. Described by them as endlessly loving and permanently positive, Maureen endured many hardships in her life, including being twice widowed and losing a daughter. Yet her optimistic spirit never wavered, nor did her strong Catholic faith, nor her enthusiasm for the many things she loved; from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to making a home in Fort Myers, Florida, to listening, singing and dancing to many styles of music.

She was forever elegant, confident, graceful and accepting of God's will, right up to the moment she passed away quietly early Tuesday morning, August 5, surrounded by the love of her children, in one of their homes in metro Detroit. Maureen was 92.

She was born on December 10, 1932 in Bay City, the daughter of Roman Norman Banascyk and Adriana Young. Maureen went to Catholic high school in Detroit and was valedictorian of her class. She was working in an office when her future husband Joseph Sabino walked in and was, according to family lore, instantly smitten.

They were married a few years later and welcomed five children, Deborah, Janine, John, Kathleen and Patricia, before Joe's untimely death on Christmas Eve, 1963. With five children to feed and little resources, Maureen never wavered and always kept the household positive. She would remarry and give birth to another son, Gregory Ciupek. Later she would marry Anthony Gatt, with whom she shared a life with in Florida for nearly five decades before his passing.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Deborah and step-son Jeff, and is survived by her five children and their spouses, Rick, Mitch and Anne Marie, her two step-children, Rick and Maureen, and their spouses, her 14 grandchildren, 10 step-grandchildren. and, so far, 18 great-grandchildren and seven step-greatgrandchildren.

Her large family was what she viewed as her greatest contribution to this world, and her greatest joy. She spoke often of her relationship with Jesus and how her faith guided her.

Family will receive friends Friday, August 8, 2025 from 2-8PM at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward Ave. (btwn 13-14 Mile), Royal Oak, (248) 549-0500.

Funeral Mass will be Saturday, August 9, 2025 at 11AM at St. Owen Catholic Church, 6869 Franklin Rd., Bloomfield Hills. To view livestream, please click HERE.

The family asks that please, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Have Faith Haiti Orphanage, at havefaithhaiti.org, or Have Faith Haiti, 29836 Telegraph Rd. Southfield, MI, 48034.