Gail Arleen Bonucchi

Gail Arleen Dryden Bonucchi, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She died the way she lived – peacefully, at home, and in the presence of her family. She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Dominic Bonucchi, and is the dearest mother of Cheryl Mazzara (Paul), Mark Bonucchi (Marie), and Lisa Hart-Thomas; the cherished grandmother of Megan (Nick), Brandon, Brian, Ryan (Sarah), Joseph, and Karissa; and the loving great-grandmother of Aria. She is the sister of Tom Dryden (Claudia), Janice Bellardine, and Michael Dryden (the late Barbara). Gail is preceded in death by her parents, Lanier and Grace Dryden. Gail graduated from Cody High School in Detroit and was recruited to work for the FBI in Washington, D.C. She returned to Detroit where she met her life-long love, Dominic, through mutual friends. They shared 66 beautiful years together and remained completely devoted to each other throughout their marriage. They longed to be near one another and Dominic faithfully cared for her at home until their last moment. Gail and Dominic had three children in 2 ½ years. She changed countless diapers, made endless meals, cared for numerous childhood illnesses, and assisted with schoolwork without complaining and with a warmth that made everything okay. She was the constant loving presence that provided a nurturing home and exemplified the maternal love of our Blessed Mother Mary. She was sweet and kind to everyone and truly interested in how each person was doing. She was content to lovingly serve in the background and took joy in the pleasure of others. When she greeted someone, it was with a big smile that showed how truly happy she was to see them. Hospitality was so much a part of her nature that even when her memory began to fail, she never forgot to ask each guest if they wanted something to eat or drink. Gail enjoyed reading, cooking, travelling, and playing games, especially Scrabble, at which she especially excelled. She was the only person in the family who enjoyed playing any game, regardless of whether she won or lost. She learned how to cook delicious Italian meals, even though this was not her heritage. It was due to her diligence in following her mother-in-law around the kitchen, writing down every measurement, that we have retained the amazing old recipes. Converting to Catholicism when she got married, Gail became a devout Catholic and developed an interest in reading spiritual and prayer books. She didn’t say much about her faith, but she quietly lived it in millions of acts of loving service, patiently bearing all things. She was a peacemaker, invariably selfless and a living embodiment of God’s love. Gail cared deeply about her connection with family and friends. She took great pleasure in playing with her grandchildren as shown in her radiant smile and easy laughter. She was tender and gentle with animals who instinctively trusted her. She was a stunningly beautiful woman, inside and out, who carried herself with dignity and grace even in the midst of a very undignified illness, and taught us all the true meaning of how to love. Visitation will be Thursday, July 30, 2026, from 3-8:30 p.m. with a sharing of memories at 7 p.m. at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons, Inc., 36900 Schoenherr at Metro Parkway (16 Mile). Instate will be Friday, July 31, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church, 95 Market Street, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to HART (Haiti Africa Relief Team) at www.hartfund.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Please share memories with the family at their "On-Line Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com

Gail Arleen Bonucchi

July 15, 1938 - July 22, 2026