Mary Gilardi

Mary Rose Gilardi, age 95, passed away on October 20th, 2018. She was born November 28th, 1922, in Solon Springs, WI, the tenth of eleven children of Joseph Gilardi, Sr. and Angeline (Penchi) Gilardi. Since three siblings died before she was born, Mary Rose grew up as the only girl with seven brothers. When she was three years old, the family moved to Wisconsin Rapids, and in 1947 to Milwaukee. She was a graduate of Viterbo College (now University) La Crosse. She received an M.A. in Education from Creighton U., and an M.A. in Spanish from UW Madison. Her life was spent as an educator at various grade levels in parochial and public schools. She taught Adult Basic Education and GED for several years at Milwaukee Area Technical College before moving East where she married Francis J. Gilardi (no relation), on October 6th, 1980, in Washington DC. They bought a home in Arlington, VA. From November, 1980 to June, 1986 she taught at Oyster Bilingual School in D.C. after which she retired from teaching. In June 2001, she and her husband moved from Arlington to Madison. In both cities, she was active as a parish volunteer, particularly in visits to the sick and homebound, served as a Eucharistic minister, delivered Meals on Wheels, and did occasional tutoring.

Mary Rose was preceded in death by her husband Frank (Sept. '13), her parents, all ten siblings, sisters-in-law, and four nephews. Surviving are four nephews: Donald (Cathy), II; Richard (Linda), PA; John H., Chicago; Charles (Kathy), Madison. Five nieces: Jean Gilardi Westfahl (Michael), WA; Karen Gilardi Brower, NC; Carol Gilardi, Madison; Mary A. Gilardi, Milwaukee; Domenica Gilardi Kuech (Thomas), Madison. She is further survived by many grand and great grand nephews and nieces, two great-great grandnieces and one great-great grandnephew.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 16, 2018 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fielder officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to Mass. Private burial will take place at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Smile Train or to a charity of your choice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434