Mary Ann Tumminello Blanda

Mary Ann Tumminello Blanda, 82, of Orange, passed away, Thursday, August 30, 2007, at The Meadows of Orange.
Visitation will be 6:00 ?9:00 p.m. on Friday at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange.
A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. led by Deacon Melvin Payne.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 1, 2007, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange with the Reverend Joseph P. Daleo as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.
Born in Beaumont, Texas on September 24, 1924 to Salvator and Annette Tumminello, Mrs. Blanda attended Beaumont High School and remained in Beaumont working at her family grocery store until she married Micheal T. Blanda, Sr. on February 3rd, 1957 at St. Joseph?s
Catholic Church in Beaumont, and moved to Orange for the remainder of her life. She and her husband, Mickey owned and operated Blanda?s Grocery Store where they worked together in the family business until retirement in 1987. Many residents of the neighborhood would still come and visit with them even after they left the business. She was loved by many patrons of the store and she always greeted them with a hug and a smile whenever she ran into a previous customer around town. She was a devoted wife, mother, and a special friend to many people in the community; she devoted her life to others. Her devout faith guided her and dictated the way she led her life. She loved and was loved by all who knew her. We will miss her love, strength, energy, and dynamic personality dearly. Mrs. Blanda was a member of St. Mary?s Catholic church and the LaDonnas Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Thomas Blanda, sister, Concetta ?Chetty? Parigi and brother Charles Tumminello.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Blanda of Orange; son Michael Blanda, Jr. and wife Connie of San Marcos; grandchildren, Haley Fontenot, Elissa Fontenot, Nicholas Blanda and Nathaniel Blanda; sisters, Josephine Danna of Lumberton, Angelina Orlando of Beaumont and
brother Dominic ?Mick? Tumminello of Sour Lake.
Serving as pallbearers will be Louis G. Blanda, Joseph B. Blanda, Michael O. Blanda, John Parigi, Curtis Collins and John A. Backer.
The family would like to thank the Staff at Magnolia Nursing Home, the Meadows Nursing Home, and Southeast Texas Hospice for the care and treatment she received during her remaining days with us.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Mary?s Catholic Church, or Southeast Texas Hospice.