Caroline Julia (Negri) Thomasini

MERRIWEATHER, Mich. — Caroline Julia (Negri) Thomasini, 94, of Merriweather, formerly of Bessemer, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, Oct. 21, 2013, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

Caroline was born on May 3, 1919, in Bessemer, the daughter of Frank and Martha (Gedda) Negri.  She graduated from A.D. Johnston High School, with the class of 1936.

On May 18, 1946, Caroline was united in marriage to Gordon Thomasini at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer.

During the war, Caroline worked as a mechanical drawer for the Bendix Corp. in Indiana. She returned to Bessemer shortly after her marriage to care for her mother. She was a homemaker, sales clerk and buyer for O’Donnell-Seaman’s and Vertin’s Department Store in Ironwood.

Caroline and her husband owned and operated Gordy’s Service in Merriweather. She also served as Acting Postmaster in Merriweather until that office closed.

She was a devout Catholic all her life. Caroline was a faithful member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer and then St. Ann Catholic Church in Bergland. She was instrumental in fundraising for the St. Sebastian School and St. Ann Church building projects.

Caroline loved Lake Gogebic from an early age. She enjoyed spending time at the family cottages throughout her lifetime.

Her interests included cooking, baking, car rides, knitting, reading, bridge, animals and above all visiting with family and friends.

Caroline was involved with many organizations some of which include Daughters of Isabella, National Catholic Society of Foresters, St. Ann’s Church Guild, Lake Gogebic Improvement Association, Lake Gogebic Volunteer Fire Department Fireflies, American Legion Auxiliary, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Bergland Historical Society, Lake Gogebic/Bergland Senior Citizens Center and Bergland Chamber of Commerce.

Caroline is survived by five children, Diane (Greg) Kaup, Delta, Colo., Gordon (Janice) Thomasini, Ewen, Mary Carol “Coko” (Bill) Toomey, Bergland, Dave Thomasini (Patty Plesh), Ramsay, and Paul Thomasini (Jacqueline Mikulich), Wakefield; six grandchildren, Lee (Ilisha) Newhouse, Eaton, Colo., John (Julie) Newhouse, Littleton, Colo., Bill (Ashley) Toomey, Marquette, John Toomey, Bergland, David Thomasini (Lia), De Pere, Wis., and Michelle Thomasini (Arel), Bessemer; four great-grandsons, Ryan, Kyle, Wesley and Michael Newhouse; several nieces and nephews; other loving relatives; and many beloved friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Gordon, on April 17, 1993; a brother, Clarence T. Negri; and a sister, Olga M. Negri.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. EDT, preceded by visitation at 9 a.m. EDT, at St. Ann Catholic Church, with the Rev. Antony Kalapura, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer.

Pallbearers will be her family.

Lakeside Memorial Chapel in Wakefield is assisting the family. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at lakesidememorialchapel.com.