Mary Jane "Marie" VanSickle's Obituary
Mary Jane “Marie” VanSickle, 91
LAKELAND - Mary Jane “Marie” VanSickle, 91, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2016, surrounded by her beloved family. Born February 11, 1925, in Greensboro, PA, she was the daughter of the late Gregory Giardini and Carmella Giardini; and predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, James William VanSickle.
Marie moved from PA to Detroit, Michigan when she was 16 years old and she and James married after his return home from the Marines (WWII), and raised their family there until they fully retired to Tarpon Springs, FL in 1986. Marie’s greatest joy was being surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren, and was affectionately known as “little Maria.”
Survivors include son, James David VanSickle of Winter Haven, FL, daughter Kathleen Small of Trinity, FL, and daughter Tammy Durden (Wayne) of Lakeland, FL. Grandchildren Tracey Taylor (Ryan) of Cumming, Georgia, Robert Rouleau of Newport, TN, James Rouleau (Christy) of New Port Richey, FL, Krista Duffek (Brandon) of Tarpon Springs, FL, Michelle nee VanSickle of Cumming, GA, Jennifer Scott (Morris) of Prairieville, LA, Courtney Durden of Lakeland, FL, and Matthew Durden of Lakeland, FL; and nine great-grandchildren, Ike, Austin, Amelia, Jacklyn, Caitlin, Alexa, Sophia, Trey and Addison.
Little Maria will be greatly missed by her family. Visitation will be held at the Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home – Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Road, Lakeland, FL on Sunday, April 17th, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a funeral service to immediately follow at 3:00 p.m. A private interment will be Monday at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
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