Mary Francis (O'Neill) Tocco

Mary Francis O’Neill Tocco, 95, passed away peacefully from natural causes on Feb. 23, 2021 with her family by her side in Royal Oak, Michigan. Mary was born on Mar. 1, 1925, in Wellston, Ohio, to Joseph and Catherine O’Neill. She grew up in a loving Irish Catholic family and the second oldest of five sisters: Joan, Kathleen, Georgene, and Charlotte. Mary lived in Pointe Marion, Pennsylvania until the age of five, when her mother passed away. Upon the passing of her mother, Mary and her sisters returned to Wellston, Ohio, under the care of their grandmother, Myrtle O’Neill. Mary took Art classes at Macomb County Community College and The Art Center in Mt. Clemens. A firm believer in lifelong learning, she continued to take art classes until the age of 93. She was a talented artist who explored and dabbled in various art forms. She found pleasure in painting, sculpting, sketching, and decoupage. Pushing the limits of conventional art was common to her. Mary’s creative endeavors were endless. Her creative nature influenced her love of creative cooking and baking. She practiced cake decorating and sculpting fruit and vegetables into a beautiful form of art. Mary was an extraordinary woman who cultivated lasting friendships with her sisters, work friends, neighbors, artists, and other family members. Mary had a giving nature. She generously gifted her paintings to family members and loved ones, who will forever cherish those gifts in remembrance of her. She enjoyed the simple things in life such as reading the daily newspaper, sipping a cup of tea, and tending to flowers in her yard. She was a free spirit who never kept lists. She had a whimsical and witty sense of humor. She was fearless and believed in fiercely standing by family. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Vito (William) Tocco, who was from a large Sicilian Catholic family. Mary and Vito were married on Nov. 16, 1946; they were married 48 years and had three children: Marilyn, Joseph, and Brian. She will be missed dearly and survived by her daughter, Marilyn Joan Tocco (Joseph) Grazioli. Mary was survived by her beloved sister, Kathleen O’Neill Foster. She was preceded in death by her dear sons: Joseph Michael Tocco (Nancy) and Brian Patrick Tocco. She will be forever remembered by her loving and thoughtful grandchildren: Amy Beth Wojtylo (Edward) Goller, Scott Michael Wojtylo (Cia), Nancy Jo Tocco (Christian) Kulikowski, and Michael Angelo Tocco (Tammie); step grandchildren: Enrico Grazioli, Gina Grazioli, Angelo Grazioli, and Christina Grazioli Fantin. She will continue to inspire her great grandchildren: Malina Jenna Wojtylo, Adam Scott Goller, Anna Lucille Goller, Anthony Vito Wojtylo, Lincoln Philips Kulikowski, and Lucille Marilyn Kulikowski; step great grandchildren: Antonio Grazioli, Vincent Grazioli, Ayla Grazioli, Adrianna Grazioli, Louie Grazioli, Mia Brooks, Jinho Fantin, Angelina Fantin, Nico Fantin, and Bianca Fantin. For our family’s COVID-19 safety, there will be no visitation or Funeral Mass at this time. The family will honor Mary’s life at a date to be determined in summer 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted by those who provided care for Mary during her later stages of life: St. Elizabeth Briarbank 39315 Woodward Ave. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304; Daughters of Divine Charity 39315 Woodward Ave. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304; Royal Oak House 1900 N. Washington Royal Oak, MI 48073; Angela Hospice 1400 Newburgh Road Livonia, MI

48154-5010.