Winifred Louise Gizzi

GIZZI, Winifred Louise Age 87 Of Kalamazoo Passed away on Friday, April 1, 2011, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan, surrounded by her husband and family members. Winifred, better known as "Freddie" by her family and friends, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 20, 1923 and was the daughter of Ruben and Delema Leech. She was one of three children, having a sister, Janet, and a brother, Hubert. While attending Pershing High School in Detroit, she met Guy "Al" Gizzi and they fell in love and were married in Bowling Green, Ohio, on August 3, 1941. Al and Freddie had four children, all boys, Pat born on May 14, 1942, Terry born on April 16, 1943, David, born on October 12, 1949 and Dean, born August 1, 1963. Although born in Indiana, Freddie and Al grew up and raised the family around the Detroit area. Freddie was proud of her ancestry, being of the nationalities of Irish, German, Scottish, English and especially American Indian (Cherokee). Her house represented her pride of her Indian heritage by the collection Indian décor. Family meant everything to Freddie as she watched her sons grow up and raise their own families. Her oldest son Pat married Lynn (Schwab) on June 20, 1964, and gave Freddie two grandsons, Lee (1965) and Scott (1967). Lee married Sandy and gave Freddie 2 great grand children, Britney and Lindsey. Scott married Lisa and gave Freddie three more great grandchildren, Megan, Sara, and Jack. Her second son, Terry, married Karen (Schabbel) on January 29, 1966, and they provided Freddie three more grand children, Troy (1972), Todd (1973) and Tracy (1975). Troy married Tammy, and they blessed Freddie with two more great grand children, Stephanie and Rachel. Two great-great grandchildren resulted from Stephanie and John, Jackie and Jordan. Tracy married Jason and they gave Freddie three more great grandchildren, Cade, Kyla, and Cael. Freddie's number of great grandchildren continued to grow from her third son, Dave (also known as "Scooter"), when he married Kim (Noble) in March 1973, and they had two children Stephanie (1976) and Eric (1978). More great grandchildren resulted from the marriage of Stephanie to Adam when they had two children of their own; Avery and Nathan. Eric married Stephanie and three more great grandchildren came to Freddie, Alexis, Brady and Madysen. Freddie's youngest son, Dean, who is living in California, has a step son, Nick. Freddie and the entire family have always considered Nick a part of the family. Over the years Freddie enjoyed reading a good book, sewing, and an occasional trip to one of the local Indian Casino's but most of all enjoyed being with family and friends. She always enjoyed crossing the state line when she went back to Indiana......... for any reason. Freddie loved her butterflies, a ride on the pontoon boat (if the lake was calm!) and an occasional "Scotch on the rocks". She was affectionately known by some of her grandchildren as "Grandma Butterfly" and "Great Gi-Gi". She will always be loved, remembered and missed by all of her family!!!!