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Special moment for Mary Bartolucci

BY JUDI KOSKI Mary Bartolucci was delighted to be surrounded by her loving family and so many dear friends at her 90th Birthday celebration held at the Caruso Club Thursday, Oct. 4.
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Mary Bartolucci was feted by family and friends at the Caruso Club last week.

BY JUDI KOSKI

Mary Bartolucci was delighted to be surrounded by her loving family and so many dear friends at her 90th Birthday celebration held at the Caruso Club Thursday, Oct. 4.

Bartolucci was born in Coniston in 1917 to Raffaella and Achille Fera. With four brothers and one sister, the Fera household was very lively.  Her love for music started from a very young age.  She is eternally grateful to her mother who made it possible for her to take weekly piano lessons.

In 1936, she married Nando Bartolucci and together they raised four children.

In September of 1940, Bartolucci was asked to play the organ at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and has been providing the gift of music ever since.

She says she was able to play the organ as well as participate in the choir all because of Nando’s love, patience, ability to look after the children and cook Sunday dinners for so many years.

She continues to play her music, guide her four children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with her wit, wisdom and Mary’isms.

At the age of 90, this endearing and optimistic lady continues to live independently in her own home and feed all her family and friends with meatballs and pasta.

She is affectionately known as Nonie to all her family’s friends and to all the children in the neighbourhood.

Each night, the petite woman looks up toward the heavens and thanks our Lord for the gift of another day. When she finds the brightest star, she knows that is her Nando twinkling goodnight.  She adds “good friends are like stars, sometimes seldom seen but always there.”

Father Larry Rymes has praise for his organist,
“As her parish priest for just the past two years, I am amazed at Mary’s dedication and faithfulness to playing the organ for every weekday mass and funeral. My special moments with Mary are daily, where she always has a positive word to say. As well, when I pop in to her house for a visit (she just lives down the street), I never leave hungry.” 

He added, “She is short is stature but tall in wisdom.”


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