Obituary of Mary M. Buchholz

Mary (McGuire) Buchholz, 88, of New Britain passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 25, 2012 at the Alzheimer's Resource Center in Plantsville. Mary was a tough old Irish gal who was a single mom long before the term was ever used. There was never a problem too large that couldn't be solved at the kitchen table over a cup of tea. Mary had a story for every situation that always seemed to help out with a current one. Mary was an avid Elvis Presley and Shirley Temple fan as well as a UCONN women's basketball team and Red Sox fan. Mary spent countless hours yelling (and sometimes swearing) at the television to help her favorite teams win. Mary was orphaned at an early age, spent too many years in a difficult foster home, and never graduated from high school. Despite that, Mary managed to raise children and grandchildren that graduated from Ivy League schools, became teachers, vice principals, engineers, police officers, nurses, and corporate executives. Mary leaves behind her children Jo-Ann (Marenzana) Gastin and her husband Tony of Missouri, Patti (Marenzana) Gannon and her husband, Harold of Unionville, and Mark Buchholz and his wife, Jackie of Middletown. Mary also leaves her eight grandchildren, Lisa, Anissa, Craig, Deandra, Christopher, David, Michael, and Ashley as well as great-grandchildren, Tanner, Kaia, Grant, Nora, Kenna, Ella, Julianne, Sean, and soon to be welcomed, Lilah. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Alfred Buchholz, her daughter, Gail Mancarella, her brothers, Pat, Bill, and Frannie, and sisters, Anna and Betty. Mary's sister, Margaret Lapsis, is now the last of the McGuire clan and will miss her dearly as will her many nieces and nephews. Mary's family would like to extend the most heartfelt gratitude not only for the loving care you provided our Mom, but for taking care of us as well. Funeral services will be held Monday 10:00 A.M. from the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Square New Britain with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph's Church 195 So. Main St. New Britain. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Visitation will be Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Resource Center 1261 South Main St. Plantsville, CT 06475. Even though Mary will be missed by all who had the good fortune to have her in their lives, we will carry on her memory by continuing to live with the values she taught us, deep love, determination, strong work ethics, and common sense. We love you, you "little shoe-pot", we love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.