Mary Louise Ware

Mary Louise Ware, 103, longtime resident of Northville, Michigan, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 24, 2025, after a long, rich life defined by hard work and unwavering grace.

Born to Italian immigrant parents, on January 7, 1922, in Detroit to Emidio and Laurina (Moscardelli) Genitti, Mary was raised with strong values of family, tradition, and service.

At the age of 15, she began working at the Cundari family restaurant. She then became a switchboard operator in Detroit. In the 1950s, she served in the payroll department for the Northville School System, working under Mr. Amerman on Main Street. She was proud to have been the last remaining staff member from the original Wayne County Training School at Five Mile and Sheldon Road. On January 28, 1953, she married the love of her life, Donald Ware, at the Methodist Church in Northville.

Mary also held roles with the Wayne County Road Commission, where she retired in 1969. In 1970, she opened The Little People’s Shoppe, a charming children's boutique in downtown Northville. With her husband Don, she helped build the Little Hill Apartments on Hutton Street, living just next door in her treasured home for over 70 years.

Even in her later years, Mary continued to work and give back. At the age of 76, she returned to the workforce at Pastry Palace in Novi, where she remained until its closure in 2019.

Mary had an unshakable commitment to preserving local heritage. She was a lifetime and active member of the Northville Historical Society and the Northville Garden Club, and a dedicated volunteer at Northville Civic Concern, where she baked her famous mini cupcakes and pizzelles. Her devotion to community extended to her family's legacy — she played a vital role in the growth and success of Genitti’s Hole-in-the-Wall.

At 100, Mary moved into Northville’s Oakmont Senior Living Community, where she flourished, making new friends with residents and staff alike. She spent her final weeks under the loving care of the remarkable staff at Angela Hospice in Livonia.

Mary was known for her sharp wit, loving presence, and timeless values. As she often reminded her family and friends, “Manners are never out of style.”

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald Ware, her brother John (Clare) Genitti, Sr., and her cherished nephews John (Toni) Genitti, Jr. and Charles Genitti.

Mary is survived by her great-nieces and nephews, Tina (Liz) Sheridan, Laura (Kirk) Rentz and family, and Andrew (Leslie) Genitti and family, and many loving friends and chosen family.

Mary Ware was “Aunt Mary” to everyone who knew her. Her legacy lives on in every brick she helped lay, every flower she planted, and every meal she lovingly prepared. In that spirit, Mary insisted on donating her body to science. Her remains will be donated to the University of Michigan’s Anatomical Program. Upon completion of this research, her remains will be interred with her husband at Rural Hill Cemetery.

A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Northville on Monday, June 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM with a gathering at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Northville Civic Concern.