Ishpeming – Shirley Ann Nardi, age 74, of 693 Cedar St., Ishpeming passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 7, 2012 at her home in Ishpeming.


Shirley was born March 24, 1937 in Ishpeming the daughter of the late George and Aili (Mackey) Koski. She grew up in North Lake Location and was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School. Shirley married Francis C. Nardi on January 23, 1954 in Ishpeming and together they raised six children. Shirley had worked at the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library for 10 years after her children were raised.


Shirley was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. She enjoyed playing cards, and participated with her local card club for over 50 years, hosting her card playing friends at her home this past Tuesday. Shirley also enjoyed scrabble, crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, crocheting and doing cross-stitch work. Her 19 grandchildren's events and activities were special to her, and she would attend as many as possible. Shirley looked forward to big family gatherings. Even though she was 100% Finnish, Shirley was known for her wonderful homemade Italian meals.


Survivors include her husband Francis C. Nardi of Ishpeming, six children – Christine (Brian) Marietta of Holland, Michael (Tina) Nardi of Ishpeming, Cathy (Jed Jacobson) Nardi of Ann Arbor, Carol (James) Fulsher of Marquette, Cheryl (Mark) Pugh of Kingsford and Connie (John) Bacolor of Benton Harbor, two sisters – Janet (Derrick) Suciu of Roseville, and Susie (Milton) Collick of Lake Fenton, a brother Jon Koski of Champion, 19 grandchildren – Ben, Joseph, Shelby, Stacy, Mindy, Michael Jr., Laura, Brittany, Kirk, Erica, Dominic, Ali, Shane, Brittany, Marissa, Rachel, Sawyer, Isabella
and Anthony, 11 great grandchildren, an aunt Ginny Coleman of CA, 5 sisters-in-law – Rose Collick, Pat Burkman, Clara (James) Guthrie, Nancy (Byron) Hewitt and Teresa (Melvin) Leivo, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by a sister Vicki Ducoli.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 – 11:00am on Monday March 12, 2012 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Monday, March 12, 2012 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. Inurnment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the Mass in the K-D Hall.

Memorials may be directed to the Friends of the Library, c/o Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St., Ishpeming, MI 49849, in Shirley's memory.