SPERTI, Mary S.
Kalamazoo
Age 77, passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022. Mary is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior. She was born to the late Russell and Rose (Selmecy) Van Atti in Kalamazoo, Michigan on July 9, 1945. Mary was united in marriage to her friend, Frederick J. Sperti on July 3, 1971. Fred passed away after 30 years of marriage on July 17, 2001. Mary and Fred enjoyed camping with their children in a pop-up camper to Niagara Falls, Mackinac Island, Mammoth Cave and Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace. She loved to travel with her children and friends to Boston, colonial Williamsburg, San Antonio, Texas, Washington, D.C., Key West, Florida, and Cancun, Mexico. Fred surprised her with a trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for their 25th anniversary. In 2005, Mary treated her children and their families to a trip to Disney World in Florida. Mary enjoyed having Sunday dinners with her family and family gatherings in the summer in her backyard. She was a member of Kalamazoo Central High School’s class of 1963. Mary attended most of the reunions and especially enjoyed the 50th reunion in July 2013. She enjoyed stories of her parents and grandparents growing up in Kalamazoo and Indiana. Mary also enjoyed old Westerns from the 40s, 50s, and 60s, United States history, crossword puzzles and word searches and watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She received a camera on her 10th birthday and has taken numerous pictures ever since. Mary worked at Mead Paper Products as an office clerk for seven years before leaving the workforce to raise her children for the next 17 years, which she was so glad she could do. After that, she worked at D & W Parkview Avenue store, in the Deli, for 17 ½ years. She loved working at both jobs and enjoyed the many associates and the interaction with the customers. Mary is survived by her precious and loving children and grandchildren, including her sons, Scott Sperti and Mark Sperti, of Kalamazoo; daughter, Angela (Douglas) Williams of Marion, Iowa; and grandchildren, Ethan Williams, Oli Williams and Darren Sperti. She is also survived by her sister, Margo Bridges; brother, John Van Atti; special cousin and friend, Amy Pacic; dear friend, Annie Wilson; nephew, John Hamlin; special niece, Teresa Deem; sister in-law, June (Doug) Sturdivant and many other cousins and relatives. Mary loved her family very much and they were all so precious to her. Whether coming or going, you would receive a big hug and kiss. Mary was a great mother, grandmother and friend to many. She had a wonderful personality and great wit and will be missed by family and friends who loved her so much. Besides her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by her grandson, Derek Sperti; sister, Carol Hamlin; cousin, Ronald Lux; and many other in-laws and friends from the east side of Kalamazoo (Sherwood Avenue area). Mary was a member of Zion Lutheran Church since 1945. Being baptized, confirmed and married to Fred at Zion. She was so pleased that God provided the beautiful building on the hill for its congregation. In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place and her cremains will be laid to rest next to Fred at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park – South. A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 2122 Bronson Blvd., Kalamazoo, MI 49008, on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will take place at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions in Mary’s memory may be given to Zion Lutheran Church or a charity of one’s choice.