Mary Lee Cecchi

Mary Lee Cecchi, 69, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Sunday, August 11, 2019, at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 19, 2019 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Tom Bird officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 5:00 P.M. Sunday, August 18 at the funeral home, with Liturgical Prayers recited at 4:45 P.M. Memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made to Hanson Hospice Center or Marie Yeager Cancer Center. Those wishing to sign Mary’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mary was born March 16, 1950 in St. Joseph to Charles & Joyce (Smith) Zavoral. She graduated from Lakeshore High School, Class of 1968. Mary was employed for seventeen years at Hughes Plastics which became Collins & Aikman in St. Joseph. Following retirement, Mary gained employment with Cracker Barrel in Stevensville, working in the gift shop for nine years. On May 26, 1989, she married Gary Cecchi in Bridgman, Michigan. Gary introduced her to power boating which she enjoyed, and she helped him with his Venetian Festival activities. Mary dedicated her life to her family, was a wonderful cook and enjoyed preparing meals for them on holidays & other special occasions. She enjoyed bowling and tending to the flower gardens surrounding her home. Mary is survived by her husband of 30 years, Gary; her children-Christina (John) Mintun of Niles, MI, Thomas (Jennifer) Thorn of North Andover, MA; three grandchildren-Zachary, Jacob & Madelyn Thorn; siblings-Alan (Debra) Zavoral of Baroda, Joan (Scott) Mosbey of Stevensville, John (Joy) Zavoral of Baroda; sister-in-law Bonnie Veverka of Benton Harbor; and numerous nieces & nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Jill and her husband Bill Spitzer, and her sister-in-law Laurene Draper.