Obituary: Mary (Baldatorra) Queram

MADISON - Mary (Baldarotta) Queram, age 80, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born in Paceco, Sicily, in 1923 and came to America in 1927 with her family to the land of opportunity. She spent her childhood in the Greenbush area of Madison and was very proud of her Italian heritage and upbringing. It was at this early age that she learned the importance of family and friends and she carried those values to adulthood and made a great impact on the people she met and loved. She attended Central High School and was a state of Wisconsin employee for many years until she met her husband, John, in 1959. They were both in their late 30s when they met and married in 1960. They always said that their marriage was, made in heaven., Their marriage of 42 years was filled with joy and happiness and they served as a role model for many younger couples in their neighborhood by always seeing the big picture and putting family first. Mary was the ultimate Mom to her three children, Anna, John and Frank. She gave them the freedom to make their own decisions backed by the values she instilled in them. Mary was the most social person you have ever met. She could talk and relate with anyone she ever met and never prejudged anyone. She had a great sense of humor and was always most interested in bringing up the spirits of others rather than thinking of herself. Mary loved family gatherings, playing cards, cooking and being a mom, grandmother and sister. She was a very proud aunt and saw her nieces and nephews as her own. Mary had seven grandchildren whom she loved dearly. She always wanted to see their schoolwork and read them books and was most proud of the people they were becoming. Her family values will continue through this legacy. Mary is survived by Anna Queram (Brian Ertmer) and their children, Nick, Stephen and Maria, all of Mequon, John (Kelly) Queram and their children, John, Joe, Bobby and Katie, all of Waterford, and Frank (Jennifer) Queram of Waunakee; her brother, Nick (Karen) Baldarotta of Madison; and sister, Fran (Jim) Zirkel of Madison. She was preceded in death by her parents, Guiseppe and Antonette Baldarotta; her husband, John; and her brother, Tony. Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. Visitation will be held from noon until 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at the funeral home. Her family wishes to thank the many people who helped Mary in her later years. She had a great network of support with special thanks to Nick and Karen Baldarotta and Jim and Fran Zirkel. A special thank you also to St. Marys Care Center for their care and support, and a special hello to her friends at Copps. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 14, 2003