Mary Ganci

Our beloved mom, Mary Joanne Ganci, passed away on February 10th in Berkley, Michigan at the age of 67.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on November 8th, 1956 to John and Lucille Barbour, she was number 7 in the line of 11 Barbour kids. She attended elementary school at Mother of Our Savior and high school at St. Mary’s of Redford. Like her native city, she was resilient, kind, and beautiful.

While most of her life was lived in Michigan, as a young twentysomething she took a maroon Firebird and jumped at a chance to move to Houston. She was brave, smart, and adventurous. After living in Houston, she spent time in Omaha, and became a mom for the first time in Springfield, Illinois. From then on, she spent the better part of 35 years in her home state.

In Michigan, she raised us: Jonathan (Karen), Brian, and Jeffrey (Andrea). With seven brothers, she was uniquely equipped to raise three raucous boys. As an impressive athlete, she was known for her glove at the hot corner in Detroit Police Athletic Leagues and passed along her love of sports to us. She loved Michigan State football and basketball, the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings. She once made a replica Stanley Cup out of tinfoil and Tupperware. After the Wings 1997 Stanley Cup victory, she led us on an impromptu victory parade through our neighborhood. She went out of her way to put a smile on our face, and loved seeing others happy. She was crafty, competitive, and fun loving.

She loved people. She knew no stranger and could make friends with anyone. She saw the best in others and genuinely cared for everyone she crossed paths with. She was selfless, empathetic, and warmhearted. When she met people for the first time, they were greeted with a hug of an old friend. When she had visitors, they were offered something to eat or drink. If they refused, she’d insist, and they were getting something either way. Friends were family, and she loved when her home was full.

She loved being a mom, and cherished the opportunity to be grandmother. She gleefully spoiled her three grandchildren, Adelaide, Leo, and Alden. Nothing filled her with so much joy as when they came into the world.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Michael, Mark, and Kevin. We know her dad greeted her with open arms and a game of euchre, and she relished a chance to hug her mom again.

She is survived by her three boys, two daughter-in-laws, three grandkids, and her siblings Beverly Preville (Roger), Richard Barbour, Carol Brady (Larry), Jim Barbour (Lynn), Larry Barbour, Denise Regoni (Paul), and John Barbour (Cherie).

Our mom was an amazing parent, a great friend, and true light in this world. The best of us three is a reflection of who she was, and how she raised us. She made an indelible mark on the people around her, and we will miss her immensely.

Come celebrate her life with us on March 30th. We will have a visitation and memorial service at 2pm at Sawyer-Fuller Funeral Home located at 2125 Twelve Mile Rd, Berkley, MI 48072.

In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate support for the grandchildren's college funds and funeral expenses. Although she had limited funds, our mom tried her best to ensure they would have the best future.

Thank you,

The Ganci Boys