Submitted by: Dan Rich

Iole Aurora Macri

Aug. 10, 1926 - Aug. 23, 2007

South Bend Tribune 8/25/2007
SOUTH BEND - Iole Macri, 81, entered into everlasting life on Thursday, August 23, surrounded by her loving children. Iole was born August 10, 1926, in Roccella, Italy, to Nicola and Eleanora Toscano.

At the age of 19 Iole found her true love and married George Macri Sr. April 28, 1948, in Pompeii, Italy. After six strong years of marriage, Iole and her husband moved to South Bend, Indiana, bringing a piece of Italy along with them. After much effort, Iole and George opened their first business, Macri's Jewelry. The jewelry store became extremely successful but Iole was persistent in pursuing her goal of an Italian bakery. While her family insisted that a bakery was impractical, Iole did not give up. In 1978, Macri's Italian Bakery was founded, and was both owned and operated by George Sr., Iole and their three kids, Yvonne, Jerry and George Jr. Iole was not only known for her determination but also for her God-given talents. One thing she will be most remembered for was her culinary ability. Following recipes was just not acceptable. Everything she made was homemade and her ingredients were home-grown. Most of this is obvious because her friends along with her entire family enjoyed her cooking for dinner every Sunday. No problem, sickness or occasion could prevent Iole from Sunday dinner with her family. Her other loves were tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, and her talented china painting. Family and faith were two things that mattered most in Iole's life. She shared these strong values with her children. Mrs. Macri was very dedicated to our Lord and His Blessed Mother, and faithfully attended Medjugorie conferences. She also attended Holy Hour, prayer groups, and helped support many church charities. She was blessed with a long, healthy life and enjoyed her children's success in businesses, and loved all her grandchildren. Mrs. Macri will be missed greatly by her friends and customers, and deeply missed by her family as she joins her husband, daughter and countless members of her friends in eternal rest. "No one knows why God does what he does, but he has a plan for all of us, and when we get there we will know." - Iole Macri. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. We love you Nonna and we will never stop missing you.

Iole was preceded in death by her husband, George Sr.; her parents, Nicola and Eleanora Toscano; her daughter, Yvonne, whom she loved dearly. She leaves behind her only sister, Matilda Calderone; her two sons, Jerry (Margy) and George Jr. (Carmela); her 10 grandchildren, Vincent, Anthony, Adriana, Michael, Gerard, Jacob and Jonathan Macri, Tony and Nicholas Jozaites, and Laura (Kerry) Bodle; and great-grandson, Morgan Bodle. The Macri family wants to express their gratitude and appreciation for all the prayers, concerns and kind words that have helped us through this difficult time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 27, in Holy Cross Catholic Church (Wilbur and Vassar streets), South Bend. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 1 to 7 p.m. today, Sunday, in the Hickey Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, where a Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to Holy Cross Church, 1520 Vassar, South Bend, IN 46628; or to Corpus Christi Church, 2822 Corpus Christi Drive, South Bend, IN 46628.