Mary Kathleen Onofrio

Mary Kathleen Onofrio, 88, of South Haven, died on December 31, 2011 at Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Community. She was born on October 13, 1923 to Elmer and Alice (Maude) Gilbert in Detroit, MI. Kathleen graduated with a bachelors and masters from Western Michigan University. Kathleen was the head librarian at the South Haven Public Library for many years. She was a member of the Church of the Epiphany. She co-authored Ni-Ko Nong (Beautiful Sunset) and a children’s history of South Haven.


She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband – James Onofrio in 2004, her brother – Ted Gilbert died in 1969 and nephew – Thomas Onofrio.

She is survived by her nephews - James (Barbara) Gilbert of Kalamazoo, MI, and Charles (Danette) Onofrio of New Fairfield, CT, her nieces – Karen Lumley and Marie Gilbert both of Grand Rapids, MI, Marsha Terry of Battle Creek, MI, Rosemary (Tom) Costello of Coloma, MI, and Mary Onofrio of Watervliet, MI.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 4 from 9 – 10 AM at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 AM with The Reverend Andrew Gross officiating. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery, South Haven. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the South Haven Memorial Library or Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation Community Activity Fund. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven, 637-0333.