Marlene Ann Zatelli

ZATELLI, Marlene, A., (nee Defer) August 28, 2022, Age 81. Beloved wife of the late Leonard who was the love of her life for 62 cherished years. Loving mother of 3 beautiful children, Sherri Lipson, Michele (Stephen) Kuzatko, and the late Randy Zatelli, 5 precious grandchildren Danielle (Josh) Carey, Ashley (James) Dailey, Alyssa (Jack) Shull, Alex (Hunter) Kuzatko and Sara Kuzatko, and 4 great-grandchildren Grant, Leah, Kameron, and Kai who added joy to her life. Dear sister of Linda (Frank) McNabb, the late Ronald (the late Judi) Defer and the late Norma Defer. Marlene was the matriarch of the family. Her loving presence and joyful smile were like a warm hug to all those she met, especially her family. She always said, “God blessed her with a beautiful family, whom she adored more than life itself and had multiple friends who adored her beautiful spirit.” For 23 years, Marlene and her late husband, Leonard, owned their own business Patio Spot. Although it was Leonard’s dream to be his own boss, Marlene stood by her love and encouraged him to pursue his dream and they worked side by side daily until their retirement together. Marlene’s children, grandchildren and other family members have many fond memories of visiting and helping out at Patio Spot thru the years. Marlene had many joys in her life, one of which was her 30+ year Christmas tradition, when her family gathered together to decorate cookies to give to the children of the Goodfellows organization and other needy families. She received great joy and fulfillment teaching God’s words to 1st-4th grade for 15 years at St. Malachy Church. Inspired by the Lord in 1990, she started a rosary prayer group in her home every week for 15 years. In 1993, Marlene was blessed to be consecrated to Our Blessed Mother at Assumption Grotto Church. Marlene and her late husband Leonard fostered 3 children from Bangladesh for 10 years, through P.I.M.E. missionaries, and they have continued to send donations to the P.I.M.E. missions to this day. Marlene has been blessed to give to many needy organizations: food for the poor, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, P.I.M.E. Missions, Catholic Relief Services, Right to Life, Detroit Rescue Missions, Eternal Word, homeless pantries, St. Jude’s. She also crocheted baby blankets, scarves and more for nursing homes and needy families. Marlene believed, “What a joy to give!” “Never forget the homeless, the poor, and the needy” and often quoted God when He said, “Whatever you do to the least of my children, you’ve done it to me” In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations, in her name, to one of Marlene’s many charities she loved: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/ The Detroit Rescue Mission: https://drmm.org/ Gleaners Community Food Bank: https://www.gcfb.org/ Visitation will be Wednesday, September 7th from 3-9pm with a short 7pm, rosary at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc. 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile). Funeral will be Thursday, September 8th, instate 9:30am at San Francesco Catholic Church (22870 S. Nunneley Rd. Clinton Township, enter south off Metro Parkway just east of Gratiot) until time of Mass 10am. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com

Marlene Ann Zatelli

April 15, 1941 - August 28, 2022