Mary Elizabeth Albarello

Mary Elizabeth (Kreider) Albarello, 94, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother from Crystal Falls, Michigan, returned to her heavenly home on January 21st, 2020 with family by her side. Mary Elizabeth was born in Newtonsville, Ohio on July 14th, 1925 to the late Gazella (Sebree) and Horace Bloom Kreider. Mary was the oldest of eight children and always very devoted to her family. Being a daughter of a Methodist minister, Mary attended various schools throughout her childhood, eventually residing in downstate Michigan. She furthered her education at Central Michigan University graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. After graduating in 1948 with her education degree, she moved to Crystal Falls at the age of 23 to become a high school Home Economics teacher. In Crystal Falls, Mary also met the love of her life, Anthony (Tony) Albarello on a night out with the girls at Martinson’s Bowling Alley. After a two-year courtship, Mary and Tony were wed on July 11th, 1953. After teaching high school for seven years, Mary’s formal career was put on hold as planning a family took precedence. Women could not teach while pregnant in those days, so Mary continued a very successful career as a wife and mother; taking on her new role with gusto and kindness like she did everything in her life. She gave birth to her son, Joey, in January 1956, a daughter, Tina, in March of 1959, and another daughter, Mary Jean, in April 1962. Along with her devotion to family, she was also an excellent homemaker. People would often rave about Mary’s cooking and baking. She spent many of her days sewing clothes for the kids and making balanced and nutritious meals for all who entered. She took pride in setting the most beautiful tables, especially for holiday guests and her dear friends coming over for coffee and dessert. When her children were old enough to attend school, Mary returned to teaching part-time in Alpha before the local schools consolidated into Forest Park. With a shortage of elementary teachers in those years, Mary decided to continue her education by earning her Masters in Elementary Education from Michigan State University, spending parts of her summers in Owosso with her sisters who helped take care of the kids. After completing her Masters, she would return to Crystal Falls Forest Park Schools to teach third grade until her retirement in 1991, teaching a total of 37 years. Being happily married for over 66 years, Tony and Mary shared many adventures together. Some of their favorites were enjoying ToJo’s camp and snowmobiling with family and friends. They enjoyed amazing travel adventures to Niagara Falls, New York; Ontario, Canada; visiting family in California and Florida, two Caribbean Cruises, and over twelve extended trips to Europe, much of the time in Italy visiting Joe and family. A most important trip Mary Elizabeth never wanted to miss was bringing her children downstate to visit with their cousins each summer. She loved spending time with her family, parents and siblings and couldn’t wait for the annual family reunions, now in their 24th year. Mary’s love of music was always a strong thread throughout her life. She came from a very musical family, singing in church and playing her violin. Mary was part of a small family ensemble, singing soprano and playing violin on a weekly church radio show back in the day. When arriving in Crystal Falls she was quick to join the local Crystal Falls Musicale group that fundraises for scholarships and performs in the community a few times a year. She was a faithful member for many years. As a lifetime servant of the Lord, Mary was proud to be a member of the Christ United Methodist Church in Crystal Falls. She served as the Superintendent of the Sunday School, was a faithful member of the United Methodist Women’s’ Deborah Circle, and served on several church committees throughout her life. Mary made many tasty casseroles and/or salads for potlucks and fellowship. She was known to bake the most delicious pies for the Annual Pie Social every summer. She was a busy homemaker, teacher, wife, and mom, but always willing to serve her church and others. Her devotion to her family and firm belief in God gave her peace and supported her throughout her lifetime. Mary is survived by her loving husband, Tony Albarello, three children, Joseph (Luciana) of Perugia, Italy, Tina (Gregg) LaVacque of Crystal Falls, Mary Jean (Jeff) Burbey of Marquette, MI; five siblings, Martha Bird of Cadillac, MI, Frances (Dan) Thompson of Bartlesville, OK, James (Katherine) Kreider of Flint, MI, Ruth Dexter of Jackson, MI, and her baby sister Anna (Larry) Bontrager of Cadillac, Michigan; nine grandchildren, Kalie (Justin Alexa), Kyle, and Kurt LaVacque ; Aaron, Ellyse, Jared, and Emily Burbey, and Michael, and Thomas Albarello; four great-grandchildren Justin and Ryan Burbey, Collin and Chloe Alexa; sister-in-laws, Lena Matteucci and Cecilia Zylka; several special nieces, nephews, and cousins; and many loving and supportive close friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Gazella (Sebree) Kreider; sister, Esther Green and brother, Paul Kreider; mother-in-law, Ottavia Albarello; and brother-in-law, Mario Matteucci. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 18th from 10–11:30 am at the Christ United Methodist Church in Crystal Falls, Michigan, with funeral services to follow. Pastor Vicky Prewitt will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mary to the Iron County Cancer Unit and/or the Memorial Fund of Christ United Methodist Church in Crystal Falls. Condolences to the family of Mary Albarello may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net The family has entrusted Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.

Mary Elizabeth Albarello

July 14, 1925 - January 21, 2020