- Date Of Birth: January 6, 1920
- Date Of Death: November 30, 2013
- State: Indiana
Mary Margaret Warren, 93, passed away at home on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. A kind and gentle soul, she was dearly loved by many. Mary was born on Epiphany, Jan. 6, 1920, in Elkhart, the firstborn child of immigrants Tony (Antonio DelGiudice) of Vico Garganico, Italy, and Louisa (Fortino) Jones of Rovito, Italy.
She married Robert L. Warren on March 14, 1943, in Elkhart. He passed away Sept. 10, 2013.
Mary is survived by her 10 loving children; Doris (Joe) Howard of Elkhart, Robert (Pam) Warren of North Canton Ohio, William Warren of Edwardsburg. Mich., Thomas (Mary) Warren of South Bend, Timothy (Marilyn Robb) Warren of Phoenix Ariz., Rita Lightner of Elkhart, Chris Warren of Elkhart, Annette Chiddister of Elkhart, Kathleen (Kevin) Brunton of Edwardsburg and Teresa Warren of South Bend; as well as 18 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many adored nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Carmeline Fortino and Eva Roach and brothers Michael Jones and Gennaro DelGiudice.
A 1938 graduate of Elkhart High School, Mary was a bookkeeper for Monteith Brothers prior to her marriage. In later years, she returned to the work world as a tax preparer for H&R Block, where she served for 30 years.
Exemplifying a deep and abiding love for God and Jesus and the Virgin Mother, Mary was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Elkhart. She always credited her faith for sustaining her through many trying times in her life.
From early on, Mary’s life desire was to have as many children as God would give her. In this petition, she was blessed abundantly, even though two doctors had told her she could never have children. Mary’s love for others knew no bounds. People gravitated to her, were comforted by her, laughed with her and cherished her. She mothered the world.
Yet her life had known its share of tragedy. When she was 10 years old, at the height of the Great Depression, her industrious father was hit by a car and died, leaving behind Mary, four younger siblings and her mother who spoke almost no English. While others offered to take some of the children, her mother would have none of it. She kept her family together, even though they had to burn furniture some winters to keep warm. It was a trait that was indelibly etched in Mary. Family first. Family always.
Mary’s sense of family extended well beyond those who shared bloodlines. Neighbors, coworkers, church associates and shop keepers — to know her was to love her. Her love for her husband, however, was the deepest and truest. She often said that one date with a boy was enough to know whether he was “the one.” But when she met Bob Warren, there was no doubt.
Bob and Mary were married for 70 years. Though she was well into dementia when he passed, it is not surprising that she sensed a missing presence in the house. She is with him now. Bob loved road trips and Mary was a willing navigator and co-pilot. No doubt, Bob was waiting for her on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, holding open the car door and saying, “Come on, Mary. Let’s go.” And she did.
