Panozzo Brothers Funeral Home, Chicago Heights Illinois

Martha Vertucci nee Garcia - 80

11/30/1932 - 5/9/2013

Matteson

Martha Vertucci, of Matteson, Illinois, passed away peacefully on May 9, 2013 after beating all the odds her doctors had given her the past 18 months regarding her battle with bile duct cancer. However, no disease could ever extinguish her generosity, spirit, and her love of family. She was born to the late Manuela and Jose Garcia of Jalisco, Mexico, where she was raised as a child. In 1967, through a twist of fate, she began a long distance love story with her future husband of 45 years, Richard Vertucci. She came to the United States in 1968 not knowing English nor American culture. She proudly became a U.S. citizen, opened her own business, helped run her husband's business and found time to be a devoted mother to her three children, John (Jody) Caballero, Stephen (Starla) Vertucci and Jennifer (Scott) Hoffman. She will always be "Nana" to her grandchildren, Nick, Jessie, Haley, Isabelle, Chase, Noah and Lilyanna Sophia. She is predeceased by her sister Graciela and brothers Rogelio and Alfonso. She is survived by her brothers Ernesto and Javier. She was happiest when she could bake for her family. Whether it was her corn flake chicken, tamales, tacos, pineapple cookies, or her pastries, her home made recipes will live on for generations. The family would also like to thank Mrs. Tina Ruiz who was Martha's second mother and mentor while in the United States. She would also like to thank Mrs. Tina's daughters Christine, Juliette, Graciela, Minerva, and Gloria who she always considered as her sisters as well as her cousin Diana and her husband Arturo Munoz who were so close to her. Resting at Panozzo Bros. Funeral Home, 530 W. 14th Street (U.S. Rt. 30, 3 blks E. of Western Ave.), Chicago Heights on Tuesday May 14th from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Funeral Wednesday 9:15 AM to St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, 21400 S. Governors Hwy/Rt. 50, Matteson. Mass 10:00 AM. Interment Assumption Cemetery, Glenwood. Please visit www.pannozzobros.com or call 708-481-9230