Natalina Monti

Natalina “Nona” Maracchini

Natalina, “Nona” Maracchini Monti, 99, passed away peacefully in her sleep, at home, in Hibbing on Saturday, July 1 ^st 2017.  While she didn’t make it quite to her 100 ^th birthday, in her Italian view, she was 100, as she was in her 100 ^th year of life.

Natalina was born in Montelago, a town in the Province of Ancona, Italy, on December 20 ^th 1917, to Nazzareno and Maria (Baldelli) Scipioni.

She married Ernest Maracchini on September 10 ^th , 1938.  Following Ernest’s service in the U.S. Army in World War II, she, along with her first daughter Pierina, joined him in Hibbing, MN where they made their home.  Their family of four was complete with the birth of their second daughter Lillian in 1950.  After Ernest’s unfortunate passing in 1970, Natalina later remarried a long time family friend Joseph Monti in 1972.

Natalina had three major passions in life; her garden, her cooking, and most importantly her family.

Her garden, along with her greenhouse, was admired and envied by all.   She loved to share the many fruits of her garden (along with her gardening advice) with all who came to visit her, right up until the day she passed.

Her homemade pasta, bread, and “sugo” were famous, and enjoyed by all her family and friends near and far. When you were with Nona, you either had to have a glass of red wine in your hand, or a piece of food in your mouth, as she was always making sure everyone had enough to eat (whether you were hungry or not).

She never forgot her roots, her 5 siblings, and her MANY relatives in Italy.  Frequent trips were made back to the old country, with her last trip being made just last August of 2016, at the young age of 98 (99 in her mind).

Nona’s pride and joy was the family she built.  She dearly loved her daughters, their husbands, her grandchildren and her 11 great-grandchildren.  Her daily concern was making sure everyone was happy and healthy.  She was always asking how the kids were doing in school, athletics, work, life, and love.  And she loved to brag about all those A’s.  To say Nona was proud of her family would be an understatement.

Natalina was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Ernest in 1970; her second husband Joseph in 1990; her beloved daughter Lillian Maracchini Repesh in 2012; brother Erminio; sisters Giovanna and Elisena; stepson Dario Monti and stepdaughter Angela Monti.

Natalina is lovingly survived by her devoted daughter Pierina (Buck) Bussey of Hibbing, who lived next door to her mother for 51 years; son-in-law Vince Repesh of Duluth; stepchildren Athos Monti of Minneapolis and Marilyn Monti of Arizona; her grandchildren Dina (Pat) Flaherty, Mary (Pat) Warner, Bill (Alicia) Bussey, and Natalie (Brandon) Johnson; her 11 great-grandchildren, Keegan (Allie) Flaherty; Emily Warner, Caden Flaherty, Connor Flaherty, Katie Warner, Maddy Warner, Allie Bussey, Megan Bussey, Drew Bussey, Brooks Johnson, and her little Lili Johnson; many step grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters Maddalena (age 96) and Marianna (age 92) both in Italy; numerous Italian nieces and nephews; special nephew Gigi Bettini and special nieces Remola Pucci and Norma Mosaici in Italy; and many close friends near and far who loved her like family, because when you were around Nona, you were her family.

While none of us were prepared for her passing, as Nona always said, “When it’s time to go, it’s time to go.”  And while her presence in this world will be missed more than anyone knows yet how to comprehend, we’d all like to believe that a mother has been reunited with her daughter, and they are celebrating over a glass of red wine, or better yet, a high ball in Heaven.

Visitation: 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, July 5 ^th , at Immaculate Conception in Hibbing.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow the interment services in the basement of Immaculate Conception.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Lillian Maracchini Repesh Scholarship fund.