Mary Poetsche

Mary Blardinelli Poetsche, 94, of Pembroke Pines, FL, left us for heaven this past Sunday, April 11th at 8:25pm.  She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family after a brave battle with several health issues.  She would want us all to be at peace knowing that she is now reunited with her beloved husband of 75 years, Eddie Poetsche, who passed in October 2020.

The Poetsche Family will receive visitors on Thursday, April 15th from 3:00 - 4:00pm at Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home, 2401 South University Drive, Davie, FL 33324.  A Celebration of Life memorial service will begin at 4:00pm with son-in-law, Pastor Richard Risi, officiating the service.

Mary was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 10, 1927, but recalled most of her younger years being raised in the small, rural town of Shaw, Mississippi, where her father, Pietro, and brothers, Victor and Roy, raised cotton along with other Italian immigrant families known as the “Delta Italians.”   Mary never knew her birth mother, Nunziata, who died giving birth to another child after Mary was born, but she was blessed to have her two big sisters, Delia (Pope) and Josephine (Allen), to love and raise her until she met and married Eddie.

Mary was most known for her unconditional love of family and friends. The kitchen was always open at her home . . . and you could order up your very own homecooked meal served with a heaping spoonful of love and sage advice. Her wisdom and life experiences surpassed what any formal education might have to offer, and her ability to always see the best in a person made her a magnet of joy to those fortunate enough to have an encounter with her.

“Mary” - “Ma” - “Momma” - “Grandma Mary” - “Aunt Mary” are all names of endearment used by five generations of family members and friends who are now charged with carrying on her legacy of family, faith and friends.  She enjoyed living life to its fullest and was always the heartbeat, joy (and best dressed) at any gathering she was a part of.

Mary is survived by son Greg (Sherry) Poetsche, daughter Patrice (Richard) Risi; sister, Josephine Allen, sister-in-law Pat Blardinelli, sister-in-law Phyllis Stalker; Five Grandchildren: Marc (Mary) Poetsche, Michele Poetsche, Stephanie (Ken) Stevens, Jennifer (Ron) Philbrick, Dave (Tiann) Risi) Seven Great-grandchildren: Ryan (Hailey) Vergara, Ashley Poetsche, Amanda Poetsche, Ronnie & Richie Philbrick, Bella & Olivia Risi), Three Great-Great Grandchildren: (Miley Oliphant, Luke & Harper Vergara).

Surviving extended family members include; Bill Engel, Brandi Ludwig; Ronnie (Sherry) Wayne; Gail (Edward) Biers; Vicki (John) Glenn, Traci, Rachel, Tucker Anderson, John B. & Morgan Glenn; Jeff (Mary) Blardinelli, Jenifer (Bill, Lauren & Lindsey) Baumgardner, Patricia (Keith, Emily& Evan) Adams; Gary Allen; Doug Allen, Kelly Boger & Nikki (Ken) Warren; Regina Harley; Joe DiMartino; Tim Marshall; and Craig & Julia Stevens.

Family members preceded in death: brother Victor Blardinelli, sister Delia Pope, brother Roy Blardinelli, sister-in-law Jimmie Blardinelli; niece Karen Engel; great-niece Lisa Engel Ludwig; niece Janis DiMartino; great-nephew Bryan Biers; niece Marianne Allen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Poetsche’s memory to                   Teen Challenge - Davie Women’s Home at:  http://support.teenchallenge.cc/davie