Mary Teresa Gaviglio (Bonicelli)

On June 8, 2025, Mary Teresa Gaviglio (Bonicelli) passed away at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center after a 19-month journey with colon cancer. She stepped into the light of God's everlasting presence, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, tenacity, and love.

Mary was born on January 11, 1950 in Oak Lawn, Illinois and is preceded in death by her brother, Donald Bonicelli and her parents, Geraldine A. Bonicelli (Beaumont) and Orlando Augustus Bonicelli. She is survived by her sisters, Laura (Mark) Bonicelli and Andrea (Paul) Hopkins; her daughters, Amy Gaviglio, Angela (Ryan) Noah, Rebecca (Matthew) Fleming; and her beloved grandchildren, Alexander, Benjamin, Josephina, and John Fleming, and Lucia and Everett Noah.

Mary graduated from Chisholm High School in 1968, received her bachelor's degree in English from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1972, and her master's degree in education from Southwest State in 2001. She began her teaching career at Crosby-Ironton High School in 1972 at the ripe age of 22 and continued to serve the community there for the next 39 years, retiring in 2012. She continued to teach online for 7 years after retirement.

Mary's lifetime of dedication and service left an indelible mark on the world, with numerous achievements highlighting her incredible legacy. She served on the board of the Jessie F. Hallet Memorial Library for over eight years, where she shared her passion for technology by securing grants for E-books, computers, and tablets. Mary was a founding member of the JFHML Friends Foundation and played a pivotal role in bringing internet access to the Crosby-Ironton School District, proudly having the first internet line in her classroom. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year for Crosby-Ironton in 1979 and was actively involved in the Teacher Support Partnership for the MN Department of Education, mentoring new teachers in the district. One of her proudest accomplishments was initiating the Range Area Alternative Program, which provided a path to graduation for many students in need of a different educational approach.

Mary filled her spare time with numerous hobbies, including participating in Friday Study Club and the Sisterhood of the Wild Yam – which we were led to believe were "book clubs", but we remain suspicious. She also enjoyed books, all things Italian, gardening, golfing, and traveling. Her greatest joy (beyond using her label maker) was being a Grandma and spending time with her six grandkids – playing games, watching movies, attending many of their activities, and having sleepovers.

Mary's love, kindness, and Italian spirit will live on in the hearts of all who knew her and her spirit will remain a guiding light for those who carry her memory forward.

A visitation will be held at Koop Funeral Home (32 East Main Street) in Crosby, Minnesota, on Friday, June 20th, from 4:00pm-7:00pm.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church (617 Poplar Street) in Crosby, Minnesota, on Saturday, June 21st, at 11:00am, with a Rosary and visitation beginning at 10:00am. A lunch reception at the church will immediately follow the 11:00am Mass.

Memorial donations may be made to the Jessie F. Hallett Memorial Library (https://hallettlibrary.org/donate/), a library of your choosing, or to the Crosby-Ironton School District (711 Poplar Street, Crosby, Minnesota 56441).