Beatrice Vai

Beatrice Vai, age 97, a resident of Royal Oak since 1952, died April 9, 2013 at Evergreen Health and Living Center in Southfield. She was born November 14, 1915 in the village of Serra, Pavullo, Italy to the late Virgil and Argentina Ghinelli. A few short years later, Virgil and Argentina traveled to America to find work. In 1928 at age 12, Beatrice traveled alone to America on a luxury liner called the SS Conte Biancamano to join her parents and two new sisters, Claire and Amy. In 1935 at age 19, she married Julius and they started their family. In 1957, they enjoyed a fantastic trip back home to Italy to see family with their daughters, which they enjoyed very much and felt very lucky to be able to do. Mrs. Vai's most precious moments were always those she spent with her family. She was a homemaker who also enjoyed working outside in her garden, knitting, crocheting, sewing and cooking delicious Italian food and wonderful lemon pie!. Her trademark saying was, "I love you more." Mrs. Vai was a devout Catholic who said her rosary daily. She spent much of her recent time watching EWTN and listening to episodes of Mother Angelica. She recalled to us many happy and proud memories of the good times she spent working with the Mission Ladies at the Shrine of the Little Flower. She was the beloved wife of the late Julius; the couple married June 8, 1935 at St. Augustine Church in Detroit; loving mother of Joan Donald Kozlowski and the late Beth late Mike Shuler; dear sister of Amy late Walter Jaskey and Claire late Walter Conlon; proud grandmother of Karen Tim Lankin, Michael Kristi Shuler, Dan Kathleen Shuler and Jennifer Jeff Atkins; and great-grandmother of Melissa Lankin and twins, Amelia and Lucille Shuler. The visitation will be Sunday 2-8:30 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Rd. 4 blks. E of Woodward, Royal Oak. Mrs. Vai will lie in state Monday 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass 10 a.m. at the National Shrine of the Little Flower, Royal Oak. Memorials to Angela Hospice www.AskForAngela.com, St. Jude Children's Hospital or FernCare Free Clinic, Inc. ferncare.org are appreciated. Share your memories at http://www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com/.