Violet J. Balducci

Violet “Vi” J. Balducci, age 90, of Iron River, MI, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at Northstar Health System, Iron River. She was born June 10, 1924 in Iron Mountain, MI, the daughter of the late Emanuel and Minnie (Pataconi) Tavonatti. She attended the Iron Mountain Schools, graduating from Iron Mountain High School with the Class of 1942. Vi married Amelio “Mel” Balducci on February 16, 1945 in Iron Mountain, and the couple enjoyed 50 years together. Mel preceded her in death on January 20, 1995. She was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Caspian, St. Anne’s Society, The Italian Lodge of Iron River, the Golden Girls Club, the Rosary Sodality, and the Paisano Club of Iron Mountain. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, dancing, golfing, playing cards, and spending time with friends. Vi is survived by her son, Curtis (Cindy) Balducci of Phoenix, AZ; daughters, Sharon A. Balducci of Green Bay, WI, and Carol J. Suchovsky of Hendersonville, TN; brothers, Donald (Evelyn) Tavonatti of Kingsford, MI, and Dick (Ethel) Tavonatti of Iron Mountain, MI; grandchildren, Angel (Jeremy) Underhill, Craig (Monét )Suchovsky, Denise McClintock, Dominic Balducci, and Ashley (Jarrod) Fredericksen; great grandchildren, Kate and Caroline Suchovsky, Robert McClintock, and another due in July 2015; nieces, nephews, and extended family. Visitation will be held Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Caspian, with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. The Ladies of St. Ann’s Society, the Italian Lodge, and the Rosary Sodality will form an Honor Guard at the service. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery in the spring. The family suggests memorial contributions to the American Heart Association. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Violet J. Balducci, please visit our flower store.