Mary Alexander, (nee Gagliano), age 86, of West Bend, was born into eternal life on Friday, November 18, 2005. At the time of her death, Mary was residing at the home of her grandson, Kenneth (Tracy) Zettelmeier, in the town of Mukwonago.
She was born in Milwaukee on August 6, 1919 to Frank and Mary (Castagna) Gagliano. Mary was a graduate of the Mt. Sinai School of Nursing in Milwaukee. Her career as a registered nurse continued until her retirement from the Health Service at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale.
In October of 1940, she married Robert W. Alexander, a career Army officer, and thereafter lived throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, while raising her family and fulfilling her duties as an officer's wife. Following the death of her first husband in 1976, Mary wed Salvatore Ciolino, of West Bend in 1988. They were happily married until his death in 2001.
Mary loved to entertain and was a wonderful cook who read cookbooks like other people read novels. She was a passionate bridge player and participated in several bridge clubs. Mary was also an avid reader who belonged to two book clubs, and enjoyed knitting, sewing, and a wide variety of other crafts.
Mary is survived by her sister, Regina Murphy of Milwaukee; and her children, Robert (Sally) Alexander and Pamela (Ken) Zettelmeier, both of Waukesha, John (Cindy) Alexander and David (Dagmar) Alexander, both of Carbondale, IL, and Sue (Blaine) Zagar of West Bend. She leaves grandchildren, Kenneth (Tracy) and Christopher (Lisa) Zettelmeier, Robert William III, Lindsay and Paige Alexander, Lisa (Doug) Hall, and Richard Wayans. Mary also leaves great-grandchildren, Gage, Turner, Alexis and Joshua Zettelmeier, Israel Brooke Alexander, and Kaitlyn and Klaire Hall, as well as other relatives, and many friends.
A memorial mass in celebration of Mary's life will be held on Tuesday, November 22, 2005, at 3:00 pm, at St. James Episcopal Church (148 S. 8th Avenue, West Bend, WI, 53095). A reception with the family will follow the mass.