Mary Lee Piccinelli

Mary Lee Piccinelli, 79, of Spring Valley passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Goldwater Care, Spring Valley.

Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2026 at Dysart – Cofoid Funeral Chapel, 208 St. McCoy St. Granville.  Altar Rosary Society will recite the rosary at 10:00 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February, 16, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Granville.  Fr. Michael Driscoll will officiate.  Cremation rites have been accorded.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Granville.

Mary Lee was born October 10, 1946, in LaSalle, the first child of Leno and Marie (Bellino) Piccinelli.

She attended Standard Grade School and graduated from Hopkins High School in 1964.  She received a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a secondary teaching credential in 1968 from Illinois State University.  Upon graduation, she was hired as an English teacher at Springfield High School where she taught for the 1968-69 school year.

In the summer of 1970, she traveled to Western United States with family members and a friend with the intention of living in San Diego with a friend who had settled there.
Upon the death of her father shortly afterwards, she moved back to Standard to be with her family and help with the family store, Lee’s Grocery.

Around 1972, she moved to DeKalb, Illinois to live with her sister and friends.  She studied briefly at Northern Illinois University and worked in a family-owned Chinese restaurant, becoming quite close with the family.

After several years, she moved back to Standard, working many jobs until she was hired as an English teacher at Putnam County High School in 1977.  She taught there until 1990 when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Mary Lee continued to live in the family home until 1995 with help from her extended family.  After 1995, she stayed at various care facilities, lastly at Goldwater Care in Spring Valley.  She was beloved by the staff and came home frequently to Standard to be with family and friends.

Mary Lee was a member of Sacred Heart Church.  She was an avid reader, enjoyed listening to music, especially the Beatles, and loved playing Scrabble and cards.  She traveled to Europe and made many trips to California to visit her sister and friends. Being with family and loved ones, especially around her cousin Marguerite’s kitchen table, remained the best times in her life.

Survivors include two brothers, Dave (Nancy) Piccinelli of Henry and Peter Piccinelli of Standard; one sister Claire (Scott Bliss) Piccinelli of Redway, California; two nephews Michael (Kelly Daly) Piccinelli of Washington, D.C., and Lee Piccinelli of Plattsburgh, NY, the sons of Dave and Nancy; and one great-niece Emma Piccinelli, the daughter of Michael and Kelly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leno in 1970 and Marie in 2010.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Putnam County Community Center in Standard or Goldwater Care in Spring Valley.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.dcfunerals.com

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