Marie A. Grassi (Re Re)

We are sad to share the news of the passing of our loved one, Marie A. Grassi on Saturday, August 3, 2024. She was our sister, aunt, great-aunt, teacher, colleague, and dear friend. Marie was born in St. Louis, MO on November 24, 1936, and lived on the Hill, the Italian neighborhood.

At the age of fifteen, Marie and several friends left St. Louis for New Haven, CT to enter the religious order of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart. Before leaving religious life, Marie taught elementary school in NY, MO, and set up a Montessori school in PA. Marie then pursued a career as a paralegal in a New Haven law firm. Marie soon realized that she missed teaching and her students, so she applied for a position at Mercy High School and was hired by Sr. Mary McCarthy. In 1981 Marie resumed her career as a Catholic educator and the rest is history. She embraced the Mercy community, and her students were her life. Her legacy will shine with the eternal love her students had for her.

Marie leaves behind her loving sister, Rachele Grassi Hunter and her brother-in-law Thomas Hunter, her life-long friend, Ann C. Derbacher, her beloved family of nieces, nephews, great/ great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many wonderful friends.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Theresa (Aceto) and Frank Grassi, her brothers and their wives, Frank and Jan Grassi, Lawrence (Red) and Joann Grassi, and her nephew Thomas Hunter Jr.

Everyone who knows Marie will remember her devotion to her students, her love of music and laughter, and her willingness to share her faith openly with all.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of Marie at her Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Mercy Parish (St. Colman Church in Middlefield, CT) You may pay your respects at the church from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy High School at www.mercyhigh.com, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org,  or the Connecticut Humane Society at https://cthumane.org in Marie's memory.   To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.