Mary E. Tuscan

Mary E. Tuscan, age 84, was born Dec. 31, 1926 in Hermansville, Michigan to John and Barbara (Bede) TusKan (Tuscan). She lived at the “Home place” in Hermansville, Michigan for most of her life. After her parents passed away in 1966, she began to spend the summers in Hermansville and the winters in Lanark, living with her sister Ann and husband, Bob Johnson. She would come to Lanark in Late October and return to Michigan on the 4th of July. The 4th of July was a time for the Tuscan family to gather in Hermansville at Mary’s and picnic, play bad mitten, eat, chat, and reminisce. Mary always looked forward to that time.
Mary’s schooling consisted of an eighth grade education and whatever her parents and siblings taught her. She was not well educated and did not have much money, but she was thoughtful and gave what she had to show her love to her sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. While in Lanark she would help her sister Ann with the cooking, washing, ironing, and cleaning. She baked the best rolly polly (povatetsa) and cinnamon rolls. A smile was brought to her face when she could give some of these away for the “kids” to take home or as the family devoured them and complimented on how good they were. In her spare time, Mary would do cross stitch and make items such as Kleenex boxes, angels, crosses, etc. out of plastic matting and yarn. We all could count on receiving something hand made from Mary for Christmas, Birthdays, weddings, etc.. She did not waste her talents and gave from her heart of what she could. In fact she spent her last days working on cross stitching a baby quilt for her great, great, nephew.
In 2000, due to health reasons, Mary was no longer able to care for herself in Michigan during the summer, so she became a permanent resident at Ann’s home.
In 3/18/03 due to Mary’s declining health as well as the declining health of her sister Ann and Brother-in-law, Bob, the decision was made for Mary to move to Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna. To everyone’s surprise, Mary blossomed there. She became a social butterfly; attending every activity that was offered her, making crafts, playing games, baking cookies, attending cook outs, dressing up on special celebration days etc.. Her favorite activity was Bingo. She would pride herself in winning and would save up the dimes and quarters she won in her room until she collected $16 dollars and then she would deposit it in her account.
Mary enjoyed her physical therapy too which included shooting baskets in a stationary basketball hoop. Her competitive spirit shown as she would smile and say how many baskets she made and who she beat.
When family would come to visit Mary’s eyes would light up and the visit often included a shared meal from Kentucky Fried Chicken.
For the past eight years, with the love and care of Big Meadows staff and volunteers, Mary thrived. She was a friend to many and enjoyed talking with staff and peers. Every evening she would join a social gathering around the nurse’s station, where residents would chat with each other and have a bed time snack. She was blessed to be at Big Meadows and many were blessed by her being there.
During her years of joy at Big Meadows there were also times of sorrow as she would hear the news of the passing of another brother or sister. Family members who have gone on before her are her parents, 2 brothers, Steve and Johny Tuscan and 3 sisters, Sylvia Rapaich, Kathryn Tuscan, and Ann Johnson.
After Ann’s death, Mary’s health began to decline and on June 28, 2011 the Lord wrapped his loving arms around her and drew her close as she crossed over from this life to eternal life with Him.
Family members that remain on this side of heaven and will miss Mary’s presence are her nephews: Doug ( Linda) Johnson, Dennis (Cathy) Johnson, Don (Chris)Johnson all of Lanark, Great nieces and nephews Stacey (Rob) Vock and Sarah Johnson of Freeport, IL, Nic (Amy) Johnson of Lanark, Jennifer (Brad) Leach of Chilicothe, IL, Darcie Johnson of Peoria, IL, and 9 great, great nieces and nephews.