Sylvia C. Imbrunnone

Cira (“Sylvia”) Imbrunnone was born on September 30, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan and passed away peacefully on September 12, 2024 at home in Macomb, Michigan while surrounded by her family. Sylvia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Sylvia is survived by her loving husband, John; her children Marion (“Mimi”) Raak (Jack Beeman), Lisa (Bruce) Berard, Sylvia (Roger) Emerson-Etter, Leslie (Joseph) Kwasneski, and Melanie Imbrunnone; her grandchildren Nicholas Emerson, Phillip (Tara) Berard, Matthew (Kelly) Berard, Brittany Emerson (Sean Neumann), Kurtis Sorlien, Angela (Scott) Dykstra and Elizabeth Sorlien; as well as her great grandchildren Jack Berard, Charles (“Charlie”) Berard and Caleb and Ellie Dykstra. Sylvia was also loved by many nieces and nephews. Sylvia was preceded in death by her father, Antonio Accurso, her Mother, Domenica Accurso, as well as her brother, Jack (RoseMary) Accurso, and sister, Mary (Tony) Laudicina, all three of whom were orphans as children and raised by their D’Anna Grandparents. Sylvia first met her husband, John, in kindergarten and were married for 67 years, celebrating their last anniversary together on June 29, 2024. Having lost her left eye during a “running-with-scissors” incident as a child, her grandchildren affectionately referred to “Nana” as “the one-eyed, one I love.” Sylvia’s glass eyeball also unwittingly made its rounds at her daughters’ school during show-and-tell, much to the dismay of their teachers (and to the horror of their classmates). With her earliest memory being that she watched her mother make pies, Sylvia was known for her traditional Italian cooking. A master of homemade meatballs, pasta, ravioli, and cannoli, Sylvia’s cooking brought people together. This led to a yearly tradition of hand-making thousands of ravioli after Thanksgiving that involved family and friends; many of whom would also frequent Sylvia’s home for meals over the years that sustained them through school, life events, tough times, happy times, and everything in between. With her Italian background, coupled with her short - yet powerful - stature, beaming smile, and infectious laugh, Sylvia was a distinctive and positive presence in any room that she entered. Sylvia’s kindness and love for all people, regardless of background, was an inspiration for all who knew her and would ultimately be the foundation for the strong bond of togetherness that she valued so much. A long-time Meijer employee until her retirement, Sylvia was a bargain shopping enthusiast and was always quick to share how big of a sale she found or discount she got (even for items purchased many years prior). Thus, true to form, Sylvia’s family wants to assure her that it was an otherwise slow day in the obituary section and the Detroit Free Press gave us 10% off on this one. A devout Catholic until the end, Sylvia found peace in knowing that she will meet her creator and be reunited with her family who preceded her in death. Sylvia will be lovingly remembered for the fulfilled life she lived as well as the memories made around the dinner table, at family functions, over the holidays, during ravioli day, and while bonding with her family. While Sylvia has passed on from this life, she will live on in her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and through the power of the example she set for us all. Visitation will take place on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. memorial tribute at the Wasik Funeral Home located at 35259-23 Mile Road in New Baltimore. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024, instate at 9:30 a.m. until a 10:00 a.m. funeral mass at St. Therese of Lisieux, located at 48115 Schoenherr Rd. Shelby Township, MI 48315. In lieu of flowers, Sylvia’s family kindly asks that a donation be made to a charity of your choice in Sylvia’s name.

Sylvia C. Imbrunnone

September 30, 1936 - September 12, 2024