| Sources |
- [S927] Obituary.
Mary (Lombardi) Biedenbach, our loving Mom
and Nana completed her life?s mission on earth
on May 20, 2005. During the struggle with her ill-
ness and as she started her journey to death, she
was very brave and never alone. Her children,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers and
sister, and special friends gathered around her.
They said prayers, brought freshly cut flowers,
wiped her forehead and tried to lessen her pain.
Her youngest great grandchildren sang her songs
and brought her hand made gifts. Many wonderful
people provided food to us who were keeping vigil;
and it brightened Nana?s eyes. She seemed to
understand the family she loved was being fed both
body and soul. Born Domenichina Maria Luigia Lombardi in
1920 in Sora, Italy, to Pasquale and Maria Lombardi.
She made the trip to America through Ellis Island
with her mother and older brother, Giovanni. Like
so many others, her name Mary evolved due to her
parents lack of English. She was very proud of her
Italian Heritage.
As she enters her eternal home, she will be wel-
comed with loving arms by her God; and family who
are already there; her parents, Pasquale and Maria
Lombardi; husband, Bernard; older brother, John
Lombardi; and baby brother, Artillio Lombardi.
She was raised in a poor but loving Italian home,
graduating from McKinley High School. As a wise
person once said, ?real success is finding your life's
work in the work that you love?, by that measure,
Nana?s life was a tremendous success. Nana loved
her work of making a difference in so many ways in
the lives of her beloved family, neighbors and life
long friends. She did her works of love in simple
ways; praying, hanging out her clean wash, mending,
ironing, cooking lots of food (mostly Italian of course),
for her family and friends, and giving us advice.
Mary was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church
in Canton. Other than volunteering in St. Joseph?s
school cafeteria and library, there are no clubs or
organizations to which she belonged. All her days
were spent in loving us and making beautiful mem-
ories for all who were fortunate to be part of her life.
Her legacy is found in those of us she will be praying
for as we are left on our earthly journey to cherish her
memory, and do our best to keep the traditions she
started for us.
Those still living include her son and daughter-in-law,
Denny and Mary Biedenbach; daughter and son-in-law,
Kathy and Rick Paul; and daughter and son-in-law, San-
dra (Pocci) and James Griffin; brothers, Ret. Col. Arthur
(Dee) Lombardi, Herman (Ginny) Lombardi; sister, Violet
Svik; she leaves eight grandchildren, Jennifer (Ed) Friedl,
Jill (Dan) Saracina, Jeffrey (Rosy) Griffin, Rick (Liza) Paul,
Nicole (Tony) Rotunno, Matt (Carrie) Biedenbach, Tony
and Tara Biedenbach. Also missing her already are 11
great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews,
special neighbors and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 11 a.m.
in St. Joseph Church with Msgr. Frank A. Carfagna as
Celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends
may call Monday morning from 9-10:30 a.m. in the
Williams Funeral Home. Instead of flowers,
Mary requested donations be made in her memory to
St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2427 W. Tuscarawas St.,
Canton, OH 44708.
Also Mary will be happy if you would take a neighbor
who doesn?t drive to get groceries; make a meal and
give it to someone just because; or write a note ?not
an Email? to express your love to a friend.
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1920 - 2005 (85 years)