Albena "Jean" Bozzacco

Jean Bozzacco passed away peacefully at Southfield Village on Saturday, April 30th at the age of 89. She was born Albena Jean Tappero in Elkhart, IN on July 28, 1932. Her parents, Nettie (Renaldi) and William 'Bill' Tappero raised her and her younger sister, Kathryn 'Kay', on Cleveland Ave. Jean loved growing up in their Italian neighborhood, surrounded by uncles and aunts, cousins and neighbors. As a child, she attended St. Vincent dePaul Catholic School.

After graduating from Elkhart High School in 1949, she worked for the gas company. When he came to pay his bill, she met Michael 'Mike' Bozzacco. She always said that she chased him until he caught her. They married on May 16th, 1953 at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. Together they had four daughters, Victoria, Annette, Mary, and Gloria. After her years of cooking, doing laundry, and caring for her girls, Jean enjoyed her retirement. She worked in her garden, spent time with her grandchildren, prayed the rosary, and baked and cooked with Mike. She enjoyed painting her nails, which she kept pristine, dressing up and wearing her pretty jewelry. In her later years, she sang in the talent show at Southfield Village.

Jean was a kind friend to many, a loving mother to her children as well as their friends, and a devout Catholic. Her family will miss her generosity, gentle sense of humor, sweet smile, and abundant love.

Jean is survived by three of her daughters, Victoria (Glenn Gerring) Bozzacco, Mary (Paul) McCoy, Gloria (John) Kucela; her son-in-law Jerome Benjamin 'Ben' Corley; her grandchildren, Jerome Benjamin 'Ben' (Sarah) Corley II, William Michael 'Mike' (Brooke) Corley, Lance (Jaimie) Crow, Carrie Crow, Claire and Dominic Kucela; her great-grandchildren, Jerome Benjamin 'Ben' Corley III, Madison, Mikayla, and Maya Corley and Conner and Boston Crow.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nettie and Bill, her daughter Annette Corley, her husband Mike, and her sister Kay Stettler. Jean's family would like to thank Southfield Village for their many years of loving and devoted care.

Visitation will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3,  at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, 1108 S. Main St. Elkhart. A funeral Mass will follow at noon. Father Benjamine Landrigan will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home. Memorials are kindly requested to St. Vincent School. Condolences may be may online at www.billingsfuneralhome.com

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