Mary Mancini

She was known as ‘Little Mary’ to the old timers. In 1956 she married Donald “Don” Bernard Mancini and was mother to six children: Kathy, Don (Connie), Merilynne (Ron) Merritt, Tom (Marianne), the late Ken (Nicole) and Rick.

Don wanted 13 kids and sent her 13 roses every time she gave birth. Since yellow was both their favorite color, Don sent 1 yellow rose and 12 red roses when the first child was born. He sent 2 yellow roses and 11 red roses when the second child was born and so on. But when Mary couldn’t believe she was pregnant with the sixth child, Don sent 13 yellow roses. They were done.

She touched the lives of all her grandchildren: Joshua (Alicia), Samantha (Ryan), Alexandria, Becky (Erik), Amanda (Rick), Brianna, Andrea (Steve), Don (Kendra), Courtney (Alex), Tommy (Kathryn), Mike (Erin), Dave, Lauren (Zack), Hannah (Rabea) and her many great-grandchildren. It was such a blessing to have her granddaughters take such good care of her at the end.

Mary did not learn to cook until she was pregnant with her fifth child, but she became a fantastic cook! All the grandkids couldn’t wait to eat her food on Christmas Eve. She was always about “the kids.”

Mary had a passion for life and had many interests. She was very athletic, as Mary was an avid golfer belonging to Washtenaw Country Club and bowled on the St. Colette bowling league. She also enjoyed playing blackjack when her and Don went to Las Vegas and later she enjoyed the area casinos.

Mary was the youngest of eight children and a favorite Aunt to her many nieces and nephews. She will be sorely missed by all of us who knew and loved her!

Funeral Visitation will be held at Harry J Will Funeral Homes, 37000 W. Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152, on April 26, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with the Rosary at 7:00 pm.

Mary’s Funeral In State will take place at St Colette Catholic Church, 17600 Newburgh Rd, Livonia, Michigan 48152, on April 27, 2026, from 9:30 am to 10:00 am, followed by the Funeral Service at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary's memory to the National MS Society.