Giorgina D. Buselli

BESSEMER, Mich. — Giorgina D. Buselli, 92, passed away peacefully at home with her children by her side on June 17, 2020.

Giorgina was born in Perticano, Italy on Dec. 19, 1927, daughter of Ermino and Francesca (Gismodi) Profili. Growing up in a small village, the loss of her mother at a young age and the struggles and hardships that she and her siblings had experienced did not prevent her from speaking fondly of her younger years in Italy. At the age of 11, after her mother’s death, she was taught how to knit, crochet and sew by the nuns of the nearby church where her family lived (which she recently revisited during a 2017 trip to Italy with her family). She was a quick study and a perfectionist and put the skills she was taught to great use throughout her life. She and her family lived above her father’s trattoria where she learned many skills, from butchering with her father to making pasta from her older sister, Yole. She and her family endured the invasion of her village and the overtaking of their trattoria and home at the end of World War II in 1945. A year later, her father died when she was 18. She soon after went to work ‘per le monache’ (for the nuns) in an orphanage. Her strong Christian faith remained a constant throughout her daily life.

Her uncle, who was living in Bessemer and working in the local mines, had arranged for Giorgina and her beloved younger sister, Esia, to come to the United States in October of 1953.

Soon after arriving in Bessemer, Giorgina met and married carpenter and cabinet maker, Gregory Buselli of Bessemer on Oct. 2, 1954. Along with being a homemaker, raising three children, sewing, cooking, and baking, she also worked side by side with her husband in his workshop making cabinets or at worksites building and remodeling houses. She would even be seen on rooftops pounding nails, when needed. Her work ethic was exceptional – quick and done right the first time. Early on, having knowledge of only a few words of English, she would serve as a volunteer, knocking on doors throughout the neighborhood collecting donations for the American Cancer Society and March of Dimes. In the late 70s she began working at Kodiak Corporation in Bessemer making fishing rods, where her ability to be a quick study and a “workhorse” proved valuable.

After the loss of her husband in 1984, she remained in Bessemer. She continued to love and support her family and friends by sharing her gifts of sewing, knitting, crocheting, and of course, cooking and baking. There was no question that anyone who visited her home would ever leave hungry or thirsty. A ‘salute’ with a ‘chicceto’ was usually first in order, and at the very least, a biscotti or three was a requirement. Her holiday meals were the equivalent of a five-course meal (her lasagna was everyone’s favorite). She would keep a watchful eye for anyone to eat their last bite so that she could immediately tell them to have more or say, “That’s all?” as in, “That’s all you’re going to eat?” She loved cooking for her family and having everyone around the table. She would often say, “A tavola non s’invecchia mai.” or another one of her many Italian proverbs, “Anni e bicchieri di vino non si contano mai.”. She was also known to some as “the biscotti lady” since she would gift her biscotti most everywhere she went. She was a natural math whiz and a gifted, elegant writer. Even the most basic of letters became works of art. She was also a very sharp smear player and enjoyed getting together weekly with family to play. Giorgina, who was small in stature but mighty in heart, was a very special woman with many talents, gifts, and so much love for all. She will be greatly missed.

Giorgina was predeceased by her husband, parents, brother, and sisters. She is survived by her two sons, Sisto Buselli and Oscar Buselli; daughter, Angela (Jim) Lauzon; granddaughter, Nicole (Ryck) Holm; she is further survived by many nieces and nephews, including, John (Donna) Frello, Bobby Frello, Dennis Frello, and Annette Lillie.

A special thanks to Northwest Cancer Center of Ashland and Regional Hospice Services.

A private mass will be held at the St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Bessemer, with Fr. Dominic Agyapong as celebrant. Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, Bessemer is assisting the family.