Gemma Mary Mazza

Lifelong Philipsburg resident, Miss Gemma Mary Mazza, died on March 16, 2014 at the age of 89. She was born November 20, 1924 to Edith (Aprato) and James Mazza in Philipsburg. She attended schools in Philipsburg and graduated from Granite County High School in May 1942 as Salutatorian of her class. Gemma was an "ace" bookkeeper and worked for Flint Creek Valley Bank for over 40 years. Gemma played the piano and actually played for local dances in the band, Granite Melodians, with her brother Eddie and three others. Gemma appreciated her Italian heritage and faithfully stayed in contact with her extended family in the Gurro, Italy area. Gemma loved to read, collect and cherish photographs of family and friends, do crossword puzzles, garden, cook (and eat!!), visit with friends, and spend time with her loving kitties. She had a wonderful memory and could recall the tiniest details from her life growing up in Philipsburg. She willingly shared historical information about all the Mazza families; sadly our family has lost its very best historian. Gemma often talked with fondness of times spent with her brother and his wife Rose, cousin Annetta Mazza Busch, friends Utahna Kennedy, Anna Raile, Mrs. Huddleston, Pat Bauer, and the Giono family from Whitehall. Gemma was a member of St. Philip's Catholic Church where her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 21, 2014 at Noon with Fr. Thomas O'Donnell as celebrant. Viewing will take place from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Philipsburg Cemetery. A reception by the Council of Catholic Women will be held in St. Philip's Parish Hall following her burial. Honored to be Gemma's pallbearers are: Cal and Tom Mazza, Speed Kingrey, Don and Brian Dahl, and Bill and Topper Giono.

Gemma was preceded in death by her parents, sister Mary, and sister-in-law Rose Mazza and many cousins both in Philipsburg and Italy. She is survived by her loving brother, Edward J. Mazza of Anaconda and extended family in Gurro, Italy and her very special kitty, Muffie Peckinpaw. She is survived by special cousins Patty Busch Dahl and her family, Tom and Cal Mazza, Ralene Mazza Canty, and special friends Gert Giono, Bill Giono and Pam Crewey, and Topper and Gail Giono. Gemma is also survived by special friends Utahna Kennedy, Pat Bauer, Speed Kingrey, Faye and Bill Hoehne, Sharon McCoy, and the staff of Granite Medical Center and Nursing Home who helped make her life more enjoyable.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Pintler Pets Humane Society, Box 1204, Anaconda MT 59711; Granite Medical Center Nursing Home, Box 729, Philipsburg; or the Granite County Museum & Cultural Center, 135 S. Sansome St., Philipsburg.