Today we are sending our Mother to heaven on angel's wings to join her Lord. Our Mom, Nana, Great-Grandmother, Aunt and beloved friend, Marie Barsanti, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2016, with her loving family by her side.

Marie was born on November 24, 1922 in Redwood City, California to Radislav and Mollie (Loushin) Jelich, with brothers Matt, Johnny, and baby brother Rade. She married at a young age to Lawrence Henderson and had four sons - Tom, Larry, Bill and Denny. The family moved to Butte in 1946 and they later divorced. Marie met and married Joe Kolger and had daughters Darlene and Vicki. Sadly, Joe died at the young age of 42 from pancreatic cancer. Marie then met and married Armando John "Wop" Barsanti in 1964 and they welcomed their son Gino two years later. They shared a long happy life before his death in 2006.

As a young girl during the Depression, Mom had many stories of family survival and yet always took pride on how close they were while actually having very little. Before coming to Butte, Mom drove bus and worked the family taxi service. She then focused on raising her family. She also learned how to survive the long miner strikes in Butte and feed her family on next to nothing, teaching all of us valuable life lessons as well.

Mom loved to garden and had a green thumb that could make all things grow. She was very proud of receiving Butte's Golden Spade award for her beautiful yard and garden. Fishing on Georgetown and Echo Lake was a favorite pastime for many years and she became close friends with Margie (Joe) Rajacich sharing many good times at the Cabin. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at all their sporting events, dance recitals and school programs. Being a woman of strong faith, she continued to pray for all of her children each night. She felt very blessed that God had given her Gino and a good long life, and they amazingly took very good care of each other. Although at 93 her body grew tired from rheumatoid arthritis and macular degeneration hindered her eyesight, her mind remained clear and sharp.

Along with Gino, her daughter Vicki Paul (and husband George) provided constant support and encouragement. They enjoyed many family trips to Florida and the East Coast, California, Canada Jackpot/Wendover and on Disney vacations and a cruise. Mom was especially happy and proud entering the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in 2009 with her son Gino by her side. And she enjoyed a great trip down memory lane in California touring the church where she made her first communion, seeing her childhood home and talking with a granddaughter of her best childhood friend. Mom was blessed to have a very close and loving relationship with her grandchildren Megan (Ed), Krista (Vinay) and Matt (Bradie), and great-granddaughter Korynn Paul. She also really enjoyed frequent visits from her Granddaughter Traci (Rob) Merzlak and her family Chelsea (Matt), Marissa (Tristan) and Zachary. Mom was thankful for the relationship that her Grandson Marty (Kathy) Henderson and their family Kade (Alex and Baby Clyde) and Haley has with Gino and her, and was especially happy that Marty continues to work with Gino at PJ Trophy.

The family wishes to thank some very special family and friends for their continued love and help when we needed you. Mom's niece Sheila (Hank) Reed and their family Shelley, Brian and Mark. Also thanks to our special friends Rosalie Butorovich, Gina & Jim Konen and Kevin Fabatz and staff at the Montana Club. We lovingly acknowledge Mom's extended family members – Barsanti, Giovanni and Jelich families.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and husbands, her sons Tom and Larry, sons-in-law George Paul and Mike O'Rourke and granddaughter Dana Henderson. She is survived by her children Gino Barsanti, Vicki Paul, Darlene O'Rourke, Dennis (Diane) Henderson, Bill (Judy) Henderson, daughters-in law Nancy Henderson and Gloria Henderson, and all of their families. She leaves 19 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.

Mom, it's time now to "stop and smell the roses" in your beautiful heavenly garden. You were loved by many and will be missed by all.

Friends are asked to join the family on Thursday after 9:30 am in St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am with the Rite of Committal to follow in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Our Lady of the Rockies, the Butte Family YMCA, or to a charity of your choice.