Mary Ellen (Bushemi) Cessna, age 89 of Valparaiso and formerly of Gary, passed away on April 5, 2013 in her home. She was born Maria Elena Buscemi in Centerville, IA on November 25, 1923. She was baptized on 4 Jul 1926 at St. Ambrose Church, 5130 Wilson Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Her parents made a trip there from Centerville, IA. Her godparents were Tony Tumminaro and Lucia Spitale.
She first attended school in Taylorville, IL and then St. Mark's and Lew Wallace Grade Schools in Gary, IN. After graduating from Lew Wallace High School in 1941, Mary Ellen attended the Gary Business College. During World War II, Mary Ellen worked for the U.S. Naval Department and then became a photographer and color artist for Gordon's Department Store in Gary, IN. During the late 1940s, Mary Ellen was employed by the Lake County Clerk's Office and in 1949 was hired by the Internal Revenue Service.
On February 27, 1960, Mary Ellen married Paul Cessna at St. Mark's Church in Gary, IN. After spending many years as a homemaker, Mary Ellen returned to work at the Ross Clinic in Merrillville, then at the Post Tribune, and finally at Porter-Starke Services.
Throughout her life, Mary Ellen was a peacemaker, believing that there was good in everybody. She had great empathy for the feelings of others and was mindful of the effect that her words and deeds might have on them. She was a wonderful role model, always acting with dignity and wisdom. She was active in many church and benevolent organizations, a former member of the St. Mark's Church, Choir and Parish Council, a former member of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, and a current member of St. Paul's Parish. She served as an officer in the American-Italian Benevolent Society as well as secretary of the Italian Catholic Federation. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Pi Sorority and logged many hours as a volunteer, including serving as a pink lady at Gary Mercy Hospital and as an adult aide at St. Agnes Adult Day Care Center.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Cessna in 1986; her parents: Pietro and Angelina (Cariota) Buscemi; her step-mother, Carmella Leonardo Grippando Buscemi; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Margaret (Joseph) Polizzotto and Carmella (Charles) Macaluso; six brothers and four sisters-in-law: Marion (Ethel) Bushemi, Emil (Pauline) Buscemi, Samuel (Pearl) Bushemi, Joseph Bushemi, John A. Bushemi, and Frank (Marcella) Bushemi; and her cumare, Margaret M. Macaluso.
Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Kevin Cessna of Valparaiso; two sisters-in-law: Mary Cina Bushemi of Crown Point and Lola Cessna Gasperik of Bridgeport, IL; a large extended family of cousins; and a host of nieces and nephews, the relationships with whom she cherished greatly.
As per Mary Ellen's wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral. Following cremation, a memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, IN. Inurnment will take place at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.
She was one of nine children of Pietro and Angelina Buscemi, immigrants to Centerville from Calascibetta and Villarosa, Sicily along with Pietro's brothers. Pietro and Angelina were the original owners of the Bluebird Cafe first located on Midway/"Pill Row" (13th Street) moving to the present location on the Square's south side in 1923. During the Depression, Pietro found work in the steel mills of Gary, Ind. The family followed but their contact with Centerville was almost unbroken, the family returning for vacations and Buscemi family events.
Mary Ellen was educated in Gary and worked there for the U.S.Naval Dept., Gordon's Dept. Store, the Lake County Clerk's Office, the IRS, Merrillville's Ross Clinic, the Post Tribune newspaper and at the Porter-Starke Services. On Feb. 27 1960 she married Paul Cessna and became the mother of one son: Kevin. Throughout her life, she volunteered for work in her church, at Gary Mercy Hospital, and at St, Agnes Adult Day Care Center; she was an officer in the American-Italian Benevolent Society, secretary of the Italian Catholic Federation and an active member of Delta Sigma Pi Sorority.
Preceding her in death were her parents, and all eight of her brothers and sisters, uncles Mike and Jesse Buscemi who ran the Bluebird after her father, and beloved Aunt Opal who was married to Mike and who on Mike's death married Centerville mayor Dan Tweedy. One of her brothers, John, well known in Centerville was a prize-winning photographer for Yank magazine in World War II. While on assignment he was killed on Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. The story of this brother, and vital and personal information of the Buscemi family, Mary Ellen shared with Enfys McMurry for "Centerville: A Mid-American Saga."
Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Kevin, who describes his mother as a wonderful role model, always acting with dignity and wisdom, always moved by empathy for others, and by commitment to her large extended family.
She first attended school in Taylorville, IL and then St. Mark's and Lew Wallace Grade Schools in Gary, IN. After graduating from Lew Wallace High School in 1941, Mary Ellen attended the Gary Business College. During World War II, Mary Ellen worked for the U.S. Naval Department and then became a photographer and color artist for Gordon's Department Store in Gary, IN. During the late 1940s, Mary Ellen was employed by the Lake County Clerk's Office and in 1949 was hired by the Internal Revenue Service.
On February 27, 1960, Mary Ellen married Paul Cessna at St. Mark's Church in Gary, IN. After spending many years as a homemaker, Mary Ellen returned to work at the Ross Clinic in Merrillville, then at the Post Tribune, and finally at Porter-Starke Services.
Throughout her life, Mary Ellen was a peacemaker, believing that there was good in everybody. She had great empathy for the feelings of others and was mindful of the effect that her words and deeds might have on them. She was a wonderful role model, always acting with dignity and wisdom. She was active in many church and benevolent organizations, a former member of the St. Mark's Church, Choir and Parish Council, a former member of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, and a current member of St. Paul's Parish. She served as an officer in the American-Italian Benevolent Society as well as secretary of the Italian Catholic Federation. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Pi Sorority and logged many hours as a volunteer, including serving as a pink lady at Gary Mercy Hospital and as an adult aide at St. Agnes Adult Day Care Center.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Cessna in 1986; her parents: Pietro and Angelina (Cariota) Buscemi; her step-mother, Carmella Leonardo Grippando Buscemi; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Margaret (Joseph) Polizzotto and Carmella (Charles) Macaluso; six brothers and four sisters-in-law: Marion (Ethel) Bushemi, Emil (Pauline) Buscemi, Samuel (Pearl) Bushemi, Joseph Bushemi, John A. Bushemi, and Frank (Marcella) Bushemi; and her cumare, Margaret M. Macaluso.
Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Kevin Cessna of Valparaiso; two sisters-in-law: Mary Cina Bushemi of Crown Point and Lola Cessna Gasperik of Bridgeport, IL; a large extended family of cousins; and a host of nieces and nephews, the relationships with whom she cherished greatly.
As per Mary Ellen's wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral. Following cremation, a memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, IN. Inurnment will take place at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.
She was one of nine children of Pietro and Angelina Buscemi, immigrants to Centerville from Calascibetta and Villarosa, Sicily along with Pietro's brothers. Pietro and Angelina were the original owners of the Bluebird Cafe first located on Midway/"Pill Row" (13th Street) moving to the present location on the Square's south side in 1923. During the Depression, Pietro found work in the steel mills of Gary, Ind. The family followed but their contact with Centerville was almost unbroken, the family returning for vacations and Buscemi family events.
Mary Ellen was educated in Gary and worked there for the U.S.Naval Dept., Gordon's Dept. Store, the Lake County Clerk's Office, the IRS, Merrillville's Ross Clinic, the Post Tribune newspaper and at the Porter-Starke Services. On Feb. 27 1960 she married Paul Cessna and became the mother of one son: Kevin. Throughout her life, she volunteered for work in her church, at Gary Mercy Hospital, and at St, Agnes Adult Day Care Center; she was an officer in the American-Italian Benevolent Society, secretary of the Italian Catholic Federation and an active member of Delta Sigma Pi Sorority.
Preceding her in death were her parents, and all eight of her brothers and sisters, uncles Mike and Jesse Buscemi who ran the Bluebird after her father, and beloved Aunt Opal who was married to Mike and who on Mike's death married Centerville mayor Dan Tweedy. One of her brothers, John, well known in Centerville was a prize-winning photographer for Yank magazine in World War II. While on assignment he was killed on Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. The story of this brother, and vital and personal information of the Buscemi family, Mary Ellen shared with Enfys McMurry for "Centerville: A Mid-American Saga."
Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Kevin, who describes his mother as a wonderful role model, always acting with dignity and wisdom, always moved by empathy for others, and by commitment to her large extended family.
Mary Ellen (Bushemi) Cessna, age 89 of Valparaiso and formerly of Gary, passed away on April 5, 2013 in her home. She was born Maria Elena Buscemi in Centerville, IA on November 25, 1923. She was baptized on 4 Jul 1926 at St. Ambrose Church, 5130 Wilson Avenue, St. Louis, MO. Her parents made a trip there from Centerville, IA. Her godparents were Tony Tumminaro and Lucia Spitale.
She first attended school in Taylorville, IL and then St. Mark's and Lew Wallace Grade Schools in Gary, IN. After graduating from Lew Wallace High School in 1941, Mary Ellen attended the Gary Business College. During World War II, Mary Ellen worked for the U.S. Naval Department and then became a photographer and color artist for Gordon's Department Store in Gary, IN. During the late 1940s, Mary Ellen was employed by the Lake County Clerk's Office and in 1949 was hired by the Internal Revenue Service.
On February 27, 1960, Mary Ellen married Paul Cessna at St. Mark's Church in Gary, IN. After spending many years as a homemaker, Mary Ellen returned to work at the Ross Clinic in Merrillville, then at the Post Tribune, and finally at Porter-Starke Services.
Throughout her life, Mary Ellen was a peacemaker, believing that there was good in everybody. She had great empathy for the feelings of others and was mindful of the effect that her words and deeds might have on them. She was a wonderful role model, always acting with dignity and wisdom. She was active in many church and benevolent organizations, a former member of the St. Mark's Church, Choir and Parish Council, a former member of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, and a current member of St. Paul's Parish. She served as an officer in the American-Italian Benevolent Society as well as secretary of the Italian Catholic Federation. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Pi Sorority and logged many hours as a volunteer, including serving as a pink lady at Gary Mercy Hospital and as an adult aide at St. Agnes Adult Day Care Center.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Cessna in 1986; her parents: Pietro and Angelina (Cariota) Buscemi; her step-mother, Carmella Leonardo Grippando Buscemi; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Margaret (Joseph) Polizzotto and Carmella (Charles) Macaluso; six brothers and four sisters-in-law: Marion (Ethel) Bushemi, Emil (Pauline) Buscemi, Samuel (Pearl) Bushemi, Joseph Bushemi, John A. Bushemi, and Frank (Marcella) Bushemi; and her cumare, Margaret M. Macaluso.
Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Kevin Cessna of Valparaiso; two sisters-in-law: Mary Cina Bushemi of Crown Point and Lola Cessna Gasperik of Bridgeport, IL; a large extended family of cousins; and a host of nieces and nephews, the relationships with whom she cherished greatly.
As per Mary Ellen's wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral. Following cremation, a memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, IN. Inurnment will take place at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.
She was one of nine children of Pietro and Angelina Buscemi, immigrants to Centerville from Calascibetta and Villarosa, Sicily along with Pietro's brothers. Pietro and Angelina were the original owners of the Bluebird Cafe first located on Midway/"Pill Row" (13th Street) moving to the present location on the Square's south side in 1923. During the Depression, Pietro found work in the steel mills of Gary, Ind. The family followed but their contact with Centerville was almost unbroken, the family returning for vacations and Buscemi family events.
Mary Ellen was educated in Gary and worked there for the U.S.Naval Dept., Gordon's Dept. Store, the Lake County Clerk's Office, the IRS, Merrillville's Ross Clinic, the Post Tribune newspaper and at the Porter-Starke Services. On Feb. 27 1960 she married Paul Cessna and became the mother of one son: Kevin. Throughout her life, she volunteered for work in her church, at Gary Mercy Hospital, and at St, Agnes Adult Day Care Center; she was an officer in the American-Italian Benevolent Society, secretary of the Italian Catholic Federation and an active member of Delta Sigma Pi Sorority.
Preceding her in death were her parents, and all eight of her brothers and sisters, uncles Mike and Jesse Buscemi who ran the Bluebird after her father, and beloved Aunt Opal who was married to Mike and who on Mike's death married Centerville mayor Dan Tweedy. One of her brothers, John, well known in Centerville was a prize-winning photographer for Yank magazine in World War II. While on assignment he was killed on Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. The story of this brother, and vital and personal information of the Buscemi family, Mary Ellen shared with Enfys McMurry for "Centerville: A Mid-American Saga."
Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Kevin, who describes his mother as a wonderful role model, always acting with dignity and wisdom, always moved by empathy for others, and by commitment to her large extended family.
She first attended school in Taylorville, IL and then St. Mark's and Lew Wallace Grade Schools in Gary, IN. After graduating from Lew Wallace High School in 1941, Mary Ellen attended the Gary Business College. During World War II, Mary Ellen worked for the U.S. Naval Department and then became a photographer and color artist for Gordon's Department Store in Gary, IN. During the late 1940s, Mary Ellen was employed by the Lake County Clerk's Office and in 1949 was hired by the Internal Revenue Service.
On February 27, 1960, Mary Ellen married Paul Cessna at St. Mark's Church in Gary, IN. After spending many years as a homemaker, Mary Ellen returned to work at the Ross Clinic in Merrillville, then at the Post Tribune, and finally at Porter-Starke Services.
Throughout her life, Mary Ellen was a peacemaker, believing that there was good in everybody. She had great empathy for the feelings of others and was mindful of the effect that her words and deeds might have on them. She was a wonderful role model, always acting with dignity and wisdom. She was active in many church and benevolent organizations, a former member of the St. Mark's Church, Choir and Parish Council, a former member of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, and a current member of St. Paul's Parish. She served as an officer in the American-Italian Benevolent Society as well as secretary of the Italian Catholic Federation. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Pi Sorority and logged many hours as a volunteer, including serving as a pink lady at Gary Mercy Hospital and as an adult aide at St. Agnes Adult Day Care Center.
Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Cessna in 1986; her parents: Pietro and Angelina (Cariota) Buscemi; her step-mother, Carmella Leonardo Grippando Buscemi; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Margaret (Joseph) Polizzotto and Carmella (Charles) Macaluso; six brothers and four sisters-in-law: Marion (Ethel) Bushemi, Emil (Pauline) Buscemi, Samuel (Pearl) Bushemi, Joseph Bushemi, John A. Bushemi, and Frank (Marcella) Bushemi; and her cumare, Margaret M. Macaluso.
Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Kevin Cessna of Valparaiso; two sisters-in-law: Mary Cina Bushemi of Crown Point and Lola Cessna Gasperik of Bridgeport, IL; a large extended family of cousins; and a host of nieces and nephews, the relationships with whom she cherished greatly.
As per Mary Ellen's wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral. Following cremation, a memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, IN. Inurnment will take place at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.
She was one of nine children of Pietro and Angelina Buscemi, immigrants to Centerville from Calascibetta and Villarosa, Sicily along with Pietro's brothers. Pietro and Angelina were the original owners of the Bluebird Cafe first located on Midway/"Pill Row" (13th Street) moving to the present location on the Square's south side in 1923. During the Depression, Pietro found work in the steel mills of Gary, Ind. The family followed but their contact with Centerville was almost unbroken, the family returning for vacations and Buscemi family events.
Mary Ellen was educated in Gary and worked there for the U.S.Naval Dept., Gordon's Dept. Store, the Lake County Clerk's Office, the IRS, Merrillville's Ross Clinic, the Post Tribune newspaper and at the Porter-Starke Services. On Feb. 27 1960 she married Paul Cessna and became the mother of one son: Kevin. Throughout her life, she volunteered for work in her church, at Gary Mercy Hospital, and at St, Agnes Adult Day Care Center; she was an officer in the American-Italian Benevolent Society, secretary of the Italian Catholic Federation and an active member of Delta Sigma Pi Sorority.
Preceding her in death were her parents, and all eight of her brothers and sisters, uncles Mike and Jesse Buscemi who ran the Bluebird after her father, and beloved Aunt Opal who was married to Mike and who on Mike's death married Centerville mayor Dan Tweedy. One of her brothers, John, well known in Centerville was a prize-winning photographer for Yank magazine in World War II. While on assignment he was killed on Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. The story of this brother, and vital and personal information of the Buscemi family, Mary Ellen shared with Enfys McMurry for "Centerville: A Mid-American Saga."
Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Kevin, who describes his mother as a wonderful role model, always acting with dignity and wisdom, always moved by empathy for others, and by commitment to her large extended family.
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