Mary Isabel Recchia

                                                             Mary Isabel Recchia

                                                October 7th 1933, to April 2nd 2021        

The Arroyo Grande community lost a wonderful woman on Good Friday, April 2 2021, in the early morning hours.  After 87 years of Catholicism, fun and love Mary Isabel Recchia passed away in her sleep.  Born Mary Isabel Buscher in Chicago she was an independent woman from the start.  She enjoyed her childhood and often shared stories of time spent with her two brothers, Robert and Louis Buscher, and her parents Louis and Ella Buscher.  Mary would share memories of her time water skiing and traveling with her friends and family during her youth.

In 1958 Mary went to work for Hunt Foods and met the love of her life, Anthony Recchia.  Her and Anthony were married on October 4, 1959 and spent thirty years together before his untimely death in 1989.  They managed to raise a family together and Mary spent the majority of the 60’s pregnant with their seven children.  Mary was a devoted mother who dedicated much of her life to her children’s happiness.  Mary and Tony were the type of parents who would do anything for their children.  Wonderful times were spent camping, traveling, participating in school events and enjoying the benefits of youth. Mary was always there for her children.

In her forties Mary went back to school and received her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly SLO.  From there she became the Business Manager of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Arroyo Grande.  Mary made many loyal friends and worked in that position from 1992 until she retired in 2004.  She was also involved in many of the church’s ministries, including bringing communion  to the homebound, driving parishioners to church, bible studies and Centering Prayer.    

Mary’s hobbies included: traveling (Israel, Italy, Chicago, Alaska, North Carolina among other places), keeping an eye on her children, cooking, and reading.  Mary lived her life according to the Four Agreements and in the belief that “God is a Mystery.” We hope this mystery is clearer for her now. 

Mary is survived by her seven children: Michael, Margaret (Mel), Terri (John), Tom, Karen (James), Ken, and Krissy (Tim).  In addition to her nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter,  she is also survived by her brother Louis and in-laws Dominic, Darlene and Arma.  Mary will forever be remembered as a loving mother, devoted wife, loyal friend, kind soul, and generous to a fault.  Hers was a life well lived and we all have an enormous amount of gratitude for all the blessings she was kind enough to bestow on all she knew. We will love you forever. 

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday April 26th, 2021 at 11:00am outside St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Arroyo Grande.   

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Isabel Recchia, please visit our floral store.