Marie Elizabeth Vernasco, 93, of Mishawaka passed away on November 13, 2018. Marie was born on March 24, 1925 in Mishawaka, IN. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents, L.D. and Henrietta Williams; her brother, Charles Williams and her sister, Nancy De Wulf.
On September 1, 1943 she married the love of her life, George Nelo Vernasco. He preceded her in death on June 15, 2004. They were married for 61 years.
Together they had three children. Surviving Marie is her daughter, Linda Verleye of Mason, OH; two sons, David (Diane) and George E. (Heather), both of Mishawaka; 6 grandchildren, David J. Vernasco of Peach Tree Corners, S.C., Lisa (David) Worley of Fishers, IN, Tara Rader of Mishawaka, Erica (Jafe) Pitcock of Carmel, IN, Julia Vernasco of St. Cloud, FL, and Michael Verleye of Chicago, IL. There are also 8 great-grandchildren, Aaron, Colin and Rachel Worley, Ryan, Leah, Hannah, and Nora Rader and Emma Marie Marcella, as well as Baby Boy Pitcock coming spring 2019.
Marie and George were married on September 1, 1943. Three days later George left to serve in WWII. Marie worked at Uniroyal (formerly Ball Band) and found time every night to write a letter to George.
He would respond using their previously secret code. The first letter of each paragraph would spell out his location; which most definitely would change by the time she got her letter. They were lifelong area residents of Mishawaka and began their family shortly after George’s return.
There were many memories after the war. They began their married life and started their family. They attended countless dances at DeAmici’s Club, Knights of Columbus and other locations.
Over the years they traveled throughout the United States, visited relatives in Italy, and traveled to Belgium, Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland. After retirement they spent their winters in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Marie was a member of St. Bavo Catholic Church, The DeAmici’s Ladies Auxiliary and the Mishawaka High School Alumni Association.
Marie was ready, willing and able to help her family which was the center of her life. She always enjoyed spending time with them, guiding them, and helping whenever possible. She loved talking with he sister, Nancy De Wulf, keeping her in touch with the current news in Mishawaka.
She liked to spend time talking with her friends, going to lunch or dinner, traveling, shopping and going to The Boat. Marie was a wonderful, loving, caring Wife and Mother, Nona, Great Nona, Sister and Friend. She will be missed by everyone whose lives she touched.
Visitation for Marie will be held on Monday, November 19, 2018 from 10 – 12:30 PM, in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St, Mishawaka. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 PM on Monday in St. Bavo Catholic Church, 502 W 7th St, Mishawaka, IN 46544. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.
Memorial contributions in honor of Marie Vernasco made be made to the Cancer Society, 130 Red Coach Dr., Mishawaka, IN 46545 or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001. To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website at www.
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