Mary Joanne (Bongi) Chartier Iris
MANISTIQUE — Mary Joanne (Bongi) Chartier Irish, 98, of Manistique, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 8, 2023 in her home, surrounded by her loving family. Mary was born on September 8, 1925 in Iron Mountain to Ettore and Delmira (Carpenetti) Bongi and raised in a vibrant Italian family with her three brothers and four sisters. Mary graduated from Iron Mountain High School and moved to Manistique in 1946 where she worked as a bookkeeper at Our Own Bakery. Mary’s friend Shirley introduced Mary to her brother Wilbur “Webb” Chartier. The two friends became sisters when Mary and Webb married on January 5, 1947 at Immaculate Conception Church in Iron Mountain. Together with Webb, Mary had four children. Mary was a devoted Nona to her nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Mary often said that family was her life. Perhaps her impressive longevity can be attributed to 80 years spent cooking, baking, and caring for those she loved.
Mary was a faithful member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. An accomplished painter and quilter, Mary taught arts and crafts to senior citizens in Germfask, Gulliver, Cooks, and Manistique. After Mary’s husband Webb passed away in 1988, Mary continued to serve as a pillar of strength, wisdom, and keeper of family traditions. Mary will be remembered for her kindness, humor, and abiding love for her family. Mary treasured her many friendships made through church, community, and decades of high school reunions. At such a class reunion in the late 90s, Mary reconnected with friend Ralph Irish. They married on January 6, 2001 and Mary gained a dear sister-in-law Gail.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, six siblings, husband Webb, granddaughter Laurel, husband Ralph and, most recently, her beloved daughters Merilee and Diane.
Mary is survived by sons, Don (Gene) Chartier and Rocky (Molly) Chartier; sons-in-law, Bill Hentschell and Calvin Blowers; sister, Isabelle “Eleanor” Dierkins; grandchildren and their families Danielle (Brad) Mouw and children Ella and Brody; Monet (Matthieu) Borione and son Eliott; Ryan (Sayaka) Blowers and son Van; Tara (David) Bougie-Zambon and daughter Daisy; Merissa (George) Briere and children Gianna, Axel, and Roc; Allyson (Kyle) Zipf and children Mason and Remy; Jamison (Ashley) Blowers and sons Ashton, Alessio, and Amari; Holly (Tanner) Kruzel and daughter Maylee.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 28 beginning at 10 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. A memorial mass will be at 12 p.m. with Rev. Fr. Benedetto Paris officiating, and a luncheon to follow. Fausett Family Funeral Homes are assisting the family.