LIVONIS, Mich. – Marie Audienza Recca Humeniuk, age 102, of Livonia, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2022. She was born to parents Gaetano and Giovannina Recca (Acquaviva) on August 2, 1919 in Detroit, Michigan.

Marie lived a long and fulfilling life. She started work as a nurses aide, and then during WW2, assisted in making airplane parts as a “Rosie the Riveter.” She also worked as a sales representative for Sax Fifth Avenue and later for the Livonia school district. Her primary role and passion was that of a homemaker, wife, mother to her five children, grandmother to nine, and great grandmother of ten. Marie’s home was often the gathering place for family celebrations which generally included copious amounts of amazing Italian and Ukrainian food, lively conversations, warm tidings, and a card game or two. All felt welcomed by her and enjoyed her many stories. She was the life of any party. Marie loved to play Bingo. In 2002, Marie accompanied other family members on a trip to Italy where she attended a papal audience with Pope John Paul and visited the hometowns of her parents, Monreale, and Sambuca di Sicilia, Sicily, Italy. Marie was a woman of strong faith and belief, and she lived her Catholic faith daily.

Marie was the loving wife of 39 years to the late Leo Humeniuk, devoted mother of Bill (Marjorie), Jack (Annie), Guy, Joe (Stephanie), and Jovon Alber. She was the loving grandmother of Eva, Anthony (Jen), Johnny, Darcy (Mark) Dolan, Douglas Sanborn, Elizabeth, Alex (Elisabeth) Alber, Katie Alber, and Jackie (Justin) Robinson. She was the proud great grandmother of Gavin, Lorelei, Charlotte, Gabriella, Sofia, Vivian, Nathan, Olivia, Silas, and Jack. She will also be deeply missed by her many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Besides her parents and husband, Marie was predeceased by her dear siblings; sisters; Rosa Pomponi, Anna Csizmadia, Carmella Mezzapelle, and Brothers; Biagio (Ben) and Antonino (Tony).

A visitation for Marie will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Harry J Will Funeral Homes, 37000 W Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan with a rosary at 7:00 PM. A funeral in state will occur Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 11:30 AM at St. Collette Catholic Church, 17600 Newburgh Road with a mass of Christian burial at 12:00 PM. This will be followed by a procession to Holy Sepulcher Catholic Cemetery for final prayers. The mass will be live streamed.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Contributions in Marie’s memory may be made to:

St. Jude’s Children

Hospital and Karmanos Cancer Institute

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