Mary Rozzoni

Mary Catherine Rozzoni passed away Feb. 15, 2008, at her Whitefish home with her beloved niece, Susan Crane, by her side.

She was born June 13, 1918, in Miami, Ariz., the daughter of Peter and Alice Shellert.

At age four, Mary was placed in a Sisters of Mercy Convent in the state of Washington where she remained until she was 18. She then wed a man many years her senior in a pre-arranged marriage. The couple moved to New York, and during this marriage a son was born, but he died at age two from pneumonia.

The marriage was dissolved, and Mary moved to Las Vegas, Nev. She worked as a cocktail waitress at the Tropicana, where she loved to tell about waiting on Sammy Davis, Jr. She bought a home in Vegas where she also raised border collies.

The city of Las Vegas bought her home to expand, and she moved on to San Francisco, where she met and married Mauro Rozzoni. When he first introduced her to his family, he asked smartly if she had a dress, and she answered smartly, yes. The only dress she had was her cocktail dress, which she wore to meet his Italian family. She really had spunk.

After her marriage to Mauro, she opened her restaurant Cotters Corner in San Francisco. She owned and operated the restaurant for more than 30 years and retired at age 70. She and Mauro enjoyed traveling to Las Vegas, to the family ranch where she was taught Italian cooking, and entertaining friends.

In 1991 the couple came to the Flathead Valley to enjoy their golden years, but Mauro passed away in 1993.

All who had the privilege of meeting her knew of her shop-til-you-drop attitude and her passion for friends and her animals. Two days before her death, she was shopping.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Mauro; her parents; a brother Harry; and her infant son.

She is survived by her niece Susan Crane, in Manteca, Calif.; great nephews Joshua Cross and Michael Crane, of Manteca; her four dogs Petite, Taffy, Shadow II and Ginger; and by many wonderful friends.

Funeral services took place Feb. 19, 2008, at the Austin Funeral Home chapel followed by graveside services at the Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Humane Society.