Obituary of Mary Ann Sanfilippo

Mary Ann Sanfilippo died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Sunday, June 19, 2022, Feast of Corpus Christi. Her husband Michael G. Sanfilippo preceded her in death in April 2020. She is survived by six children: Anne Yanez, Joe Sanfilippo, Susan (Kent) Hettinga, Jim (Jennifer Lee) Sanfilippo, John (Mary Goll) Sanfilippo, and Mike T. Sanfilippo (Diana Juarez). She has eight grandchildren: Sabin, Micah, Wakei, Daniel, Damian, Abera, Lillian, and Mason. She was the eldest child of deceased parents James Cox and Dorothy Schwiderski Cox of Palatine, Illinois. Her brother Jerome Cox (Joan) of Novi, Michigan preceded her in death. Her surviving siblings are: Leo (Judy) Cox, Colette Cox, Daniel (Mary) Cox, and Noreen “Casey” Meyers.

Mary Ann was born October 20, 1936, and raised in Illinois. She went to Loretta Heights College in Denver, Colorado where she met her future husband, Mike, on a blind date, while completing her nursing degree. Mike also hailed from Illinois and was finishing his business degree at the University of Colorado-Boulder. They courted while she was in college, then were married September 10, 1958, in Melrose Park, Illinois. After their marriage they opened a take-out only pizza place adjacent to their first home in Joliet, Illinois. They then moved back to Colorado to start a family. For most of their married life they lived in Colorado, in Boulder for 24 years, followed by Fort Collins for 2 years, and then in Berthoud for 32 years. In addition to raising her family, she was active in politics for decades, and in Pro-Life activities everywhere she lived. She was a long-time member of the Berthoud Rosary Group, an active participant in the St John the Evangelist Adoration chapel, and a recent graduate of the Catholic Biblical School. She loved her Catholic faith. After the children were grown, she enjoyed caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and ultimately spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements through Viegut Funeral Home include:

• Vigil, Rosary & Visitation, Tuesday, June 28, 6:00 p.m. at Viegut Funeral Home, 1616 N. Lincoln Ave, Loveland, Colorado.
• Mass of Christian Burial, Wednesday, June 29, 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1730 W. 12^th St, Loveland, Colorado.
• Rite of Christian Burial, Wednesday, June 29, 2:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery, 6739 South Boulder Road, Boulder, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to any of the following:

• St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1730 W. 12^th St, Loveland, CO 80537
• RAM Catholic, c/o St. John XXIII University Parish, 1220 University Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521
• Priests for Life, PO Box 236695, Cocoa, FL 32923 Phone: 321-500-1000
• Julia Greeley Home for homeless single women in Denver. Mailing address: 3613 Wyandot St, Denver, CO 80211, or the Fireman’s Guild