Veronica A. Ponziani

Veronica A. Ponziani, 79, of Bucyrus, died peacefully Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at Bucyrus Community Hospital.



She was born November 26, 1936 in Filbert, Penn. to the late John V and Dorothy (Spirko) Gmutza and was a 1955 graduate of Redstone High School. On August 22, 1959, she married Nello L. Ponziani and shortly thereafter, they moved to Cleveland where they lived until 1970. That summer they relocated to Bucyrus as Nello became the new Jr. High Principal.



Veronica lived by the Golden Rule and cared for her family and others in this manner. She knew how to make everyone feel special and was a very generous and unselfish individual. She worked as a Wagon Wheel Hostess, was a substitute secretary for Bucyrus Schools, and finished her work career by proudly serving as the Executive Director for the Bucyrus Area United Way.



She was a very devout Catholic and was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church a place at which she felt most at home. She was a charter member of the Altrusa Club of Bucyrus where she felt humbled to have been selected “Altrusan of the Year,” this past month for a third time. Veronica was often on the go. She loved attending her grandchildren’s activities, from sporting events, band concerts, musicals, and award ceremonies. She was both a Die Hard Redman and Royal Fan! Having lunch with her lady friends and gabbing with fellow cardiac rehab patients at Bucyrus Hospital was also a big part of her ”social life” as she called it these past several years. She loved watching cooking shows. Veronica also found time to listen to or watch her favorite ball team, the Cleveland Indians. She was an incredible cook who will be remembered for her homemade pasta, ravioli, gnocchi and spaghetti sauce; a gift received from her mother-in-law.



She is survived by three children, Angela (Dr. Chip) Miller, Vincent (Kim) Ponziani both of Bucyrus, and Anthony (Lisa) Ponziani of Columbus; ten grandchildren, Caleb, Shannon, and Brooke Miller, Kylie (AJ) Burton, Michael, Jacob, and Adam Ponziani and Joey, Jillian, and Lydia Ponziani. Also surviving are two siblings, Tom (Mary Lou) Gmutza and Mary (Jim) Monroe; two sisters-in-law, Betty Gmutza and Betty Ponziani and one brother-in-law, Lou Ponziani, as well as her very best friend of 46 years, Betty Johnson.



In addition to her parents, Veronica is preceded in death by her husband Nello; one brother, Jack Gmutza; one sister-in-law, Kathy Ponziani and one brother-in-law, Jerry Ponziani.



Her family will receive friends from 1-3 & 5-7 p.m. Sunday, March 20 at Wise Funeral Service and immediately following those hours will be a time offered to anyone who wishes to share memories of Veronica with her family. A Rosary service will conclude the evening and will begin around 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Fr. John Miller as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery.



Memorial contributions may be given to Holy Trinity Catholic Church or to Altrusa Club of Bucyrus through the funeral home. Memories are encouraged to be shared by visiting her Tribute Page at www.wisefuneral.com.