Mary Ann Claudia Leto

WITH GOD's HELP! Dedicated to our Mother Mary Ann Claudia Leto The date is April 13th, 1921, a beautiful precious baby girl was born on Helen Street in Detroit. Her loving parents, Samuel Buscemi and Marianna Buscemi immigrants from Calabria and Sicily, Italy, were elated! As Mary Ann Buscemi grew, her mother would shower her weekly with a new dress from downtown Detroit, Michigan. Mary Ann's interest lied in her music and at the age of 8 yrs. Old she started piano lessons. Seasoned and accomplished at 13, she and her youngest sister, Gene, who sang while Mom played piano, would perform on radio and at local Detroit conventions. This shy, young girl loved her studies yet became ill and for one year after her mother prayer's and devotion, Mary Ann was healed. Grandma Buscemi's gratitude from the Father was so deep that she sewed a blue sheath dress, like the Blessed Mother Mary, and made Mary Ann wear the dress all school year. Thus the start of FAITH! Growing up on Promenade in Detroit, Michigan was wonderful. Mom loved to sing "I'LL BE WITH YOU IN APPLE BLOSSOM TIME" and Dad loved to play Italian songs on his mandolin. Nights on the front porch with the metal swings ...[more]

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neighbors to talk to were days full of simplicity and grace. Dedicated in helping her mother, Mary Ann helped take care of her dear brothers and sisters who often referred to her a Mima. Mom would stay up nights with her sisters who were afraid of the dark. She would also watch and help her mother Marianna prepare for beautiful dinners for Grandpa's associates and relatives. Lavished with loads of different meats and of course splendid desserts, Mom's favorite! As a young girl, she loved to visit with her cousins and would write her brothers and relatives, who were serving in war. Mary Ann recalls her Mother at Christmas listening to "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and sensing the world's sorrow for their missed loved ones. Until one day, she went to the Furnari/Leto's gathering. It was on a Sunday afternoon. Upon arriving at the home, she saws men playing football on the front lawn. A certain man caught her eye. Just as Fate would have it, the man notices Mary Ann and told his male cousins, "Hey, She's for me!" The gentleman's name was Salvatore William Leto. His bright blue eyes and sweet nature won Mary Ann over. Their courting began. For some time Dad would visit Mom and on school nights and stay until 10 o'clock. Mary Ann recall Sam rolling down his shirt cuffs before he had to go home. Of course Mary Ann had to stay up and finish her studies till midnight. The price they paid for courting! Soon Sam would visit the Buscemi household with his parents and ask for Mary Ann's hand in marriage. Both families were successful in business and very hard workers. Mary Ann's father, Sam, owned a wine business and later a poultry business at the Eastern Marker in Detroit, Michigan. Sam's father Vito built apartments downtown and assisted in the First Ford Factory and Olympia Stadium. Grandma Buscemi and Grandma Leto were praying mothers who dedicated their lives to their families. On September 20, 1939 the young couple, ready to join as one, were married! Back in those days they started in the morning, 10:00am. Mary Ann adored her father and was very proud to walk out of her parents' loving home with Dad toward her new life with Sam. The Holy Family Church was the home church for many Italian immigrants and is located in Downtown Detroit and still serves the community today. Later, Sam and Mary Ann would baptize their children and grandchildren at Holy Family Church and be blessed on their 25th Wedding Anniversary. Their first home was above a grocery store and Mary Ann remembers staying in bed most of the day in order to keep warm. Coal was used in those days. Horseback riding in Windsor was a favorite pastime for the newlyweds. So goes the days of leisure, for soon their family would begin! On October 31, 1940 Angela Maria Leto arrived! GOD'S BLESSINGS!!! Mary Ann lavished her baby girl with beautiful dresses and Dad tickled her fancy. Devoting her time and effort, she loved Angela and Sam completely. Angela spent seven years with Mom and Dad before the DAM WOULD BREAK!! They now became four in less than three years. William Paul Leto followed by Samuel Joseph Leto and the baby boy Thomas Charles Leto. Life with Mom, Dad, and Angela had changed. The boy became famous with their Beddo Bacho D'mour, which means, "Oh My Wonderful One" notoriously sang for family and relatives. Showered with love from her children and husband, Mary Ann was notified by the sudden news of Sam's kidney disease. Her focus became more intense toward keeping the family's health and spirits up. She still went to her heavenly FATHER, who could reassure her and give her hope. Mary Ann's visit to Mayo Clinic with Sam suggested only 5 years of life. GOD IS GOOD, and our great Aunt Vitina's letter sent to Padre Pio, who was considered a man with the anointing to heal, as well as, JESUS', like wounds in his hands and feet and even hear, that bled at certain times of the day, our father Sam was HEALED!!! Mom claims that upon Dad's visit to the doctor one day, Mom called the office and to her surprise, Dad's test was cleared and Mom questioned Dad regarding the smell of roses, all over our home. Padre Pio's letter explained such identifications of a miracle occurring. Such a wonderful GOD sent!! Dad was healed and lived the next 30 years. The years went by and on August 15, 1954 another beautiful baby girl, named after Mary Ann's mother Marianna, MaryAnn Leto. From which the child started, at the ripe ole age of six, decided to treat the entire neighborhood to Ice-Cream. Thus, MaryAnn's title still stands today: The big giver! And her big sister Angela has been replaced with the Ice-Cream money. The most important part of little MaryAnn's birth was being born on the Feast of the Assumption, which is the Blessed Mother Mary's Day. Last but not least, on October 3, 1959, the BABY WAS BORN, TA DA! I'm the baby, you gotta love me. And who am I! Diane Geralyn Leto. Mom's and Dad's love for music came through all of their children, and many home holidays were spent at the piano with Mom playing the piano, and little MaryAnn playing and little Diane singing our parents' favorite song "I Left My Heart In San Francisco!" the entire family joined in song and dance and Christmas Carols were Awesome and more beautiful today. The grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren have added the best to it all!! Mother, we love you very much and words cannot express all that we feel for you. You're the BEST MOTHER, MOTHER-IN-LAW, GRANDMOTHER, GREAT GRANDMOTHER, and GREAT-GREAT GRANDMOTHER ANY FAMILY COULD EVER HAVE!! P.S. She is playing piano in Heaven Mary Ann Claudia Leto passed away January 5, 2021 at the age of 99. She is the beloved wife of the late Salvatore W. Leto. Loving mother of Angela McCarty (the late Thomas McCarty), William P. Leto (Nancy), the late Samuel J. Leto (Sandy), Thomas C. Leto (Sue), MaryAnn Foley (Dan), and Diane Palumbo. Dearest grandmother of Margaret Assenmacher, Carrie Leto, Tammi Leto, William Leto Jr., Peter Leto, Paul Leto, Penny Campbell, Tom Leto II, Michael Leto, Sam Leto, Christina Leto, Andrew Foley, Danielle Foley, Dan Foley, Benjamin Palumbo, and Joshua Palumbo, great grandmother of 27, and great-great grandmother of 9. She is also survived by her brother, Tony Buscemi and sister, Gene Kuntz. Visitation on Sunday will be for immediate family only. Funeral Monday, January, 11th, 10:00am, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 467 Fairford, Grosse Pointe Woods. Face Masks must be worn at the church at all times.