Marguerite Romayne Nardi

Marguerite was born to the late James B. Scanlon and Estelle Uren Scanlon on November 9,1927 in Kalamazoo, MI. She spent her growing years in Negaunee, MI and graduated from St. Paul’s Catholic High School in 1945. She was a spirited cheerleader and during that time she met many of her lifetime friends: her Bestie Dolly Scoleri Polini, and the late Robert Koskey and Lois Bye Ruesing.

Following graduation Marguerite worked for Household Finance Corp. of Battle Creek, MI. She was then accepted into Nursing School but unfortunately her mother became ill with tuberculosis, so she returned to Negaunee to help her parents. She was employed by Marquette County in the County Controller’s Office Juvenile Division and in the Marquette County Treasurer’s Office.

On June 24, 1950 Marguerite married the love of her life, Francis Luke Nardi, in a beautiful ceremony at St. Paul’s Church, Negaunee, MI, marking the beginning of a shared life of love and devotion. During their 64 years of marriage Fran and Marguerite vacationed in Italy, Ireland, England, Denmark and Sweden. For 40 years Marguerite enjoyed her winter paradise, Naples, FL. Since the 1950’s, summers were always spent at Big Perch Lake which later became Fran and Marguerite’s permanent home. Recently Marguerite made the move to spend her winter in a beautiful apartment in the historical Mather Inn(now The Mather) in downtown Ishpeming.

She was an avid bowler, loved to play cards, cross-country skied, and was master of crossword puzzles, especially those in the People Magazine. She dedicated her life to her home with a passion for cleaning and cooking and all to perfection. She also cleaned the altars at St. John’s the Evangelist Church in Ishpeming where she had been a lifetime member. Marguerite was an avid Packer fan at her husband’s side at Lambeau Field and also enjoyed cheering on “The Fighting Irish” of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.

Marguerite’s memory will be kept alive by her two daughters, Christine Nardi Diette of Bonita Springs, FL, Rosanne Nardi (Miles Buck) of Ishpeming MI; four grandchildren, Christopher (Liz)Winnen of Chicago, Courtney(Dave)Woosencraft of Depere, WI, Daniel(Nicole) Diette of Chatham, NJ, and Jacqueline (Matt) Asaad of New Canaan, CT; and eight great-grandchildren: Maria Marguerite and Connor Woosencraft, Graham and Reid Winnen, Anna and Callum Diette, and Jameson and Christian Asaad. She was known to all as “Nanny”.

Marguerite is also survived by two brothers-in-law: Dominic (Barbara) Nardi and Paul Nardi and a sister-in-law, Henrietta Nardi, all from Ishpeming; her cousin Kathy Swonk Derr of Battle Creek, MI and cousins Susan Richards Seals of Knoxville, TN., Brad Richards of Negaunee, MI, and Janice Cushman, Jane Hardy, Lorena Wright all from lower Michigan and Bill Trembath of Naples, Fl.

Marguerite has always enjoyed many friends who were sources of companionship, care, and inspiration. Michael and Susie Koskey and Kathryn and Art Gischia are her Perch Lake neighbors who took a special interest in her since her husband’s death. They watched over her and were always there to help whenever she needed them. She never missed a Sunday without a phone conversation with Sharon and Lowell Griffis, Shawano, WI and in Naples her daily visitors were Martha and Lee Brooks and MaryJane and John Dyrek. Each morning Martha would sneak into Marguerite’s condo and brew her coffee.

Preceding Marguerite in death were: her brother-in-law, James Nardi, her cousins Rita and Patricia Swonk, Carol and Gordon Richards, and her best friends: Beatrice and Dominic Ombrello, Elaine Denofre, Toni Armatti, Judy and Edward Scott, Joanne and Anthony (Gigs) Gagliardi and Myrtle and Francis Dompierre.

Marguerite will be profoundly missed but her sassy, spunky spirit will continue to guide and inspire all who were blessed to know her. She lived the best possible life because of some very special friends who cared for her graciously during her final days: Brienne LaVigne, Missy McCoy, Patty Maki and Jacquie Carlson. They treated her with kindness, compassion and love. The family would like to thank them all for being Marguerite’s cheerleaders.

Special thanks to The Mather, Bill, Liisa and Paula for caring so much to check on her and make her life so special in her new home. We also thank U.P. Home Health and Hospice, Doctor Hillary Metcalf, Father Christian Flagstadt and Jeremy Hansen at Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services.

The family will greet friends at a Memorial Mass celebrating the life of Marguerite on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming. Friends may call at the church beginning at 12:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm with Rev. Christian Flagstadt and Rev. Greg Heikkala concelebrating.

Interment for the family will be made in the Ishpeming Cemetery following the Mass.

Donations may be made to Upper Peninsula Honor Flight 7508 J Road, Gladstone, MI 49837 in Marguerite’s name or to St. John the Evangelist Church, 325 S Pine St, Ishpeming, MI 49849

“And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.”

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.