Elizabeth Mary Calcagno

August 11, 1935 – October 12, 2026

Elizabeth Mary Calcagno, 91, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2026, at Fairmont Senior Living in Northville, Michigan.

Elizabeth was born on August 11, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, to Thomas and Rose Tarantino. She grew up with her two younger sisters, Geraldine Carlson and Alberta Sporer, both of whom preceded her in death.

After graduating from high school, Elizabeth pursued her passion for caring for others by earning her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification. While working as a nurse, she met the love of her life, Charles Joseph Calcagno. The two were married for more than 50 years, until Charles's passing in 2010. Together, they raised four children: Laura (Jeff) Holzworth, Michele (Lee) Carmona, Carla Ortiz, and Peter (Dawn Visceglia) Calcagno.

Elizabeth was also blessed with six wonderful grandchildren: Michael and Max Holzworth, Courtney and Grace Carmona, and Morgan and Marco Ortiz, each of whom brought her tremendous joy.

Never one to let life stand still, Elizabeth returned to school to earn her Registered Nurse (RN) license. She loved nursing and took great pride in her work at Mount Sinai Hospital and in private practice with Drs. Neufeld and Sakwa. Caring for others was more than a profession for Elizabeth; it was an important part of who she was. Even after retiring, she continued her calling by working with Angela's Hospice. In a particularly meaningful turn of life's journey, the same organization where Elizabeth had once cared for others provided compassionate care for her in her final days.

Elizabeth was fiercely independent, strong-willed, and never afraid to speak her mind. She had a remarkable ability to stand her ground, especially when she knew she was right—which, according to Elizabeth, was always. Those who knew and loved her understood that a little stubbornness was simply part of her charm. Her independence stayed with her throughout her life. At the age of 85, she decided to move to Florida on her own, where she lived until returning to Michigan at 89.

Elizabeth had many interests and found joy in life's simple pleasures. She enjoyed gardening and loved painting with her daughter Carla and granddaughter Morgan. She also had a special affection for all of her beloved granddogs. She enjoyed long conversations on the phone and made a point of keeping in touch with her many nieces and nephews, maintaining family connections that meant so much to her.

Her Catholic faith was also an important part of her life. Elizabeth had a particular devotion to Father Solanus Casey, and anyone who knew her knew how generously she shared that devotion. If she gave you one scapular, chances were you would end up with five.

Elizabeth also had a playful side. She loved to gamble, although winning was never quite her specialty. She was an enthusiastic fan of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and one of her family's cherished memories was celebrating her 81st birthday at Universal Studios, watching her delight as the magical world she loved came to life before her eyes.

Above all, Elizabeth loved her family. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her determination, independence, and unwavering opinions made her unforgettable. She lived life on her own terms, loved deeply, and left her family with countless stories and memories.

Elizabeth always believed that when you lose someone you love, you gain an angel. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is now one of those angels, watching over the people she loved so dearly.

She will be missed, lovingly remembered, and forever held in the hearts of her family and friends.