Mary Helen Biro - Spano

Wood River:

"It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mother, Mary Helen (Tolle Biro) Spano, who left us at 7:20 pm on Friday, December 20, 2024, at the age of 97. She died at home and was surrounded by her children.

Mary was born on March 8, 1927, to Ruth Mae (Cleveland) Tolle and Joseph Harold Tolle. She was the oldest of 13 children and the last surviving sibling.

She married our father Andrew Biro on July 3, 1948, and had nine children. Her oldest son Joseph Harold preceded her in death on June 6, 2024. Her surviving children are Tony (Linda) Biro of Godfrey. Mary (Steven) Wade of Alton, Patricia Sheets of Olathe, KS, Stephani Biro of East Alton, Jeri (Jim) Hampsey of Alton, Andi (Gina) Biro of Ellisville, MO, Staci (Bryan) Grieve of East Alton, and Rick Biro of Wood River. At the current time she has 26 grandchildren, 50 plus great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. However, these numbers change daily with a family this large.

She was married to our father for thirty years until his passing on June 7, 1978. She is quoted as saying he was 'the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on.'

As if taking care of all of us kids didn't keep her busy enough, she went on to have a career as a nurse aid for twenty six years at St. Joseph Hospital in Alton, IL, until her retirement. If you were a patient of Mary's, she remembered you. Not only you, but your room number and the reason for your hospital stay. More often than not she could be heard saying to some random person in a store or a restaurant, 'I know you. I took care of you at St. Joes.' And she would proceed to tell them their room number and the reason for their hospital stay. And a friendship would be borne from that. That was our mom. She never met a stranger. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wood River.

She met her second husband Jack Spano and fell in love again. They married on April 24, 1982 and were married for thirty two years.

She and Jack were avid boaters and would frequently take friends and family on their boat for rides on the Mississippi. In their younger years it was speed boats but as they grew older they switched to pontoon boats. This afforded them a more relaxed boating day where they would stop at a sandbar and sunbathe. Sometimes a little too long and they would pay the price later with lots of aloe and little clothing.

She was also her husband's passenger on his Harley. She was fearless and trusted him completely while on their Sunday rides down the river road.

They entertained alot. Their pool parties and backyard bar-b-ques were epic. Mostly family, which is understandable with the brood she had. She would have an occasional cocktail or glass of wine, and Jack playfully gave her the name of 'Three Drink Mary.' He said she would drink one, spill one, and throw one at the bartender. He adored her and she loved him. They remained married until his death in October 29, 2014.

Our mother was fortunate enough to have loved and had been loved by two great men; Andrew and Jack. Her 'Two Loves' as she called them. She lived a blessed and wonderful life. We will miss our mother immensely. Life will not be the same.

Rest easy mom, until we see you again.

Mary is also preceded in death by a grandson John Biro and a granddaughter JuliAnn Biro. She also leaves behind three very special friends, Nancy Spano, Barb Duncan, and Patty Fields.

In celebration of her life, visitation will be from 11am until time of funeral services at 1pm on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Pitchford Funeral Home. Rev. Dr. David Schultz will officiate. Following her services and in accordance with her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Private burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

Memorials are suggested to BJC Hospice and will be accepted at the funeral home.