Mary Martha Piazzon

Mary Martha Piazzon of Coupeville passed away quietly in her home Feb. 9, 2004, attended lovingly by family and friends. She was born May 11, 1921, in Storo, Italy, to Frank and Palmira Nascimbeni. She immigrated to the U.S. in 1928 for one year, returned to Italy and then re-immigrated to Detroit, Mich. the following year. In 1939 she graduated from Southwestern High School as an honor student, having worked for the school simultaneously as a secretary.

Though academics were important to her, playing ball was what she lived to do. Upon graduating, she was hired for a secretary position by the Roman Cleanser company of Detroit, in part because of her athletic prowess. As an All Star left fielder, known by her nickname, “Mickey Beni,” she contributed to two world championships; however, she turned down an offer to turn professional. In 1946 she was hired by the United AutoWorkers and helped their team achieve a third place finish in the World Championship tournament. She retired as a ball player in 1949 when she married Anthony S. Piazzon whom she would later divorce in 1969. While at the UAW she advanced to the position of executive secretary to Walter Ruether, president and founder. She also loved singing in the UAW choir. After serving the UAW for 42 years, she retired in 1988.

Mary Martha was a lifelong Democrat, devoted Catholic and ardent environmentalist. She devoted her energy to helping others. Her efforts included work with: two Catholic outreach ministries, the Center for Domestic Abuse and the successful effort to elect a Circuit Court judge. She loved to play bocce ball at the St. Clair Shores Senior Center. She traveled extensively during this period, and visited Hawaii, China, the Holy Land, and Yugoslavia — the latter two places to experience first hand their holy sites. In 1994 she moved to Coupeville and immediately engaged in town life and immersed herself in the community at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the Altar Society and a stalwart soprano in the choir, until forced to retire due to illness late last year.

Mary Martha loved baseball, her backyard wildlife, dancing, bowling, rosary and Mass services, swimming, diving, fishing and hunting, though she “could never shoot another deer or bird again.” She won recognition in any activity in which she participated. She will be remembered for her humor, daring and independence. Her motto, “Never lose your sense of humor” together with her immeasurable faith provided her the strength and ability to prevail over life’s challenges. She was truly in a league of her own. She will be forever in our hearts, and we are surrounded by thoughts of her everywhere.

Mary Martha is survived by her daughter, Toni Piazzon, now residing at her mother’s home; son, Gary Piazzon and his wife Dianne Deseck-Piazzon and their daughter Dana all of Coupeville; and her sister, Esther Beltrami of Raleigh, N.C. She was preceded in death by her sister Esther who died at age eight, an older brother, Frank Nascimbeni from Roseville, Mich., and her dear Coupeville friend, Betty Fordham.

A rosary will be recited for Mary Martha Friday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Coupeville with Rev. Ronald Belisle, celebrant. Due to Lent, a quiet and simple reception will follow at St. Mary’s Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Coupeville, the Brain Injury Association of Washington, Friends of Home Health and Hospice at Whidbey General Hospital or Whidbey Chapter of the National Audubon Society. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.