Mary R. (Signorino) Van Ooteghem

Mary (Signorino) Van Ooteghem, 94, was born in Mishawaka, IN, on July 27, 1926, to Rosario and Lora (Agati) Signorino who immigrated to the United States from Marsala, Sicily in 1919.  She passed away at her son's home surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.  Preceding her in death were her parents, Rosario and Lora (Agati) Signorino; her husband of 43 years, Richard H. (Dick) Van Ooteghem; her brothers, Gasper, Michele, Joseph and Christopher Signorino; sister Franchesca (Fran) Steed; and her grandson, Seth Wade.

Surviving are her children, Lora (Oliver) Wade and son Richard M. (Jean) Van Ooteghem; her granddaughter, Mary (Ulemu) Gondwe; three great-grandchildren, Lora, Michael and Arcadia; her step- grandchildren, Tia (Beau) Jennings, Charles (Jamie) Dalmolin; her step-great-grandchildren, Devin, Jadawn, Drew and Chris; her special nephew, Gary Signorino; and special niece, Mary (Brown) Sanders; her best friend, Helen Bennett; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mary was a loving wife and mother who enjoyed being with her family above all else.  She was always there for her children. Mary and Dick were devoted partners and did everything together, including running their company, Van Ooteghem and Son Construction.  While Dick ran the daily business on the jobs, she handled all the office work which was extensive.  She was meticulous and could never ever be even a penny off in the finances. They worked together perfectly and had a successful business.  She was very savvy and Dick had said of her, “She has kept me from making mistakes (in the business) many times.” as he trusted her judgment implicitly. 

A quiet, private person, she enjoyed being at home.  Mary had a terrific sense of humor and a beautiful smile.  Her laughter was wonderfully contagious. She was a gifted listener, always able to sit quietly and actively listen without ever giving advice, unless you asked for it.  Being with family was always her main priority.  She was a member of St. Bavo parish for over 70 years.  She stayed in touch with her lifelong neighborhood girlfriends, “The Chums” by going out to lunch once a month in their later years.  She prayed three rosaries every day and had a list of prayer intentions that took a half hour to recite.  She knew them all by heart and once you were added to the list, you were never taken off.  If you lost something, she would pray to St. Anthony and you would find whatever it was that you had lost.  It never failed.  Mary will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends.  And she will surely continue to pray for everyone from heaven where she will be joined together with her beloved husband Richard and all her friends and loved ones who passed before her.

Special thanks to Hospice and her nurse, Colin for their excellent care in her last days. 

Visitation will be 2 pm-6 pm, Sunday, March 21nd in Hahn Funeral Home with a reciting of the rosary at 5 pm.   Her funeral Mass will be at St Bavo Church at 10 am, Monday, March 22nd with Fr. Peter Pacino officiating.  Mary will be laid to rest in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.  Due to current public health and safety standards for COVID-19, social distancing will be enforced and masks required.

In lieu of flowers, her wishes are for donations to the Center for Hospice, 501 Comfort Place Mishawaka, IN 46545 or St Bavo Church, 511 W. 7th St. Mishawaka, IN 46544.

To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary R. (Signorino) Van Ooteghem, please visit our floral store.