Jean M. Sirianni, 87, of Vero Beach, passed away on Jan. 19, 2014.
She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Fred; children, Steve (Kitty) Sirianni, Tony Sirianni, Janet (Steve) Driever, Mary Sirianni, Patty Sirianni, Jim (Melissa) Sirianni, John (Julie) Sirianni, Kate (Yutaka Ishimi) Sirianni, Carey (Al Epp) Sirianni, David Sirianni, Fred (Jane) Sirianni, and Sue (Ken) Lessley. She is also survived by 23 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many special dogs.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and three close aunts; Lucille Cain, Marie Wahl, and Ida Johnson.
Sirianni was born on March 21, 1926, in Rice Lake, Wis., to A. A. Bergeron and Luella (Cain) Bergeron. She attended St. Scholastica’s School in Duluth, Minn., and graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1944. Sirianni went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, Minn.
She married her high school sweetheart, Fred A. Sirianni, in 1949 in Rice Lake, Wis. They moved to Eau Claire, Wis., in 1959 where they raised their 12 children. Sirianni was a strong and loving advocate for her children’s development in all areas; academically, artistically, socially, and spiritually. She advised and counseled many friends throughout her years in Eau Claire, Eagle River, and Vero Beach.
Sirianni was adored by many and admired for her courage, tenacity, dedication to family and friends, cooking ability, love of animals and nature, and her sense of humor. (After all, she had 12 kids!)
Though a member of St. John of the Holy Cross parish in Vero Beach, a Memorial Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1712 Highland Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701.
Father Don Meuret will officiate. Memorial visitation will take place at Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be no visitation prior to the service at the church on Saturday morning. Inurnment will take place in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Eau Claire following the luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Jean’s Sirianni’s name to the St. John of the Cross Catholic Church or the United Way of Indian River County in Vero Beach, Florida. Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com. Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.