Mary Sue Hautz

Mary Sue (nee Cianciolo) Hautz, was born on her mother’s birthday, April 29, 1937. Her parents, Fred J. Cianciolo and Mary Rose (nee Raniero) Cianciolo welcomed their second child while living in Covington, Kentucky, on what was commonly referred to as Spaghetti Hill for the abundance of Italian Americans living in the area. Her parents soon moved their growing family to Clerose Circle in the St. Williams Parish of Price Hill. Mary Sue, fondly called Sue by her family and friends, thrived in a loving and family-oriented environment, surrounded by her siblings and friends and always following the lead of her beloved older brother, Gus.

When Sue was eight, the family moved to what would become the iconic family hub, a beautiful home on Julmar Drive. Fred owned the Fred Cianciolo Produce Company and Mary Cianciolo raised their six children. Sue graduated from Mother of Mercy High School in 1955 while dating a young man named Jack Hautz. After high school, Sue showed an aptitude for business and always enjoyed in later years talking about her early career with Eagles Savings and Loan.

Sue and Jack married on August 26, 1957 and began a family. With the start of her family, Sue left her banking career to raise four children over the next sixteen years. When her children were older, Sue joined her husband in business by gaining her real estate license. They were truly partners in discussing and sharing the family business interests.

Sue worked first for Nick Guetle at Guetle Realtors, then Sibcy Cline and Thiemann Realtors. A true people person, Sue was successful in business, but always her first devotion was family and friends.

Sue loved travel. The fondest memories of her travels include a journey through her familial roots in Sicily, Italy with her son, John and his family. One can never forget the oft-repeated story of Sue’s travels to Germany and France with her brother Gus, his wife Sheila and daughter Connie, where Sue mistakenly de-boarded a train just before departure to enjoy a cigarette. The panicked cry went out as the train began motion of, “Mom’s NOT on the train!” Gus, Sheila, and Connie made several additional unplanned train connections to meet with her again. That incident earned Sue the nickname of “Choo Choo Sue” which she accepted with her characteristic good humor.

That trip was an excursion of recovery taken immediately following the sudden cardiac-related death of her husband after 49 years of marriage. Sue courageously journeyed the path of widow by assuming the presidency of Jack’s business, continuing to maintain her real estate license, traveling with friends, and taking ultimate joy in the lives of her children, grandchildren and first great-grandchild.

She was forever the most faithful wife, dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Sue, devoted mother of John (Gina) Hautz, Connie (John) Wintzinger, Jimmy (Melissa) Hautz, and David (Helen) Hautz returned to the Lord on Sunday, October 22 surrounded by her family after a brief illness complicated by Alzheimer’s Disease.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, Fred J. and Mary Rose Cianciolo, precious grandson Timothy William Hautz, beloved brother Lt. Gen. August (Gus) M. Cianciolo and brother-in-law Mike Hood, dear nephew Marty Cianciolo and many other family and friends.

In addition to her children and their spouses, she is survived by cherished grandchildren, Nick (Anna) Hautz, Sara (Seth) Adamson, and Johnny (Tegan Chitwood) Hautz, Jake (Anna Wilson) Hautz and Jack Hautz, Kevin, Ryan, Neal and Maureen Hautz, and great-granddaughter Avianna Rose Hautz. She is also survived by beloved siblings, Carol (Jerry) Held, Joe (Jeanne) Cianciolo, Rosanne (Mike) Brady, Diane (Mark) Tudor, treasured sister-in law Sheila Cianciolo, loving sister-in-law, Harriet Thieman, and many dear nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

A visitation will be held Sunday, October 29 from 1-3 pm at Radel Funeral Home, 650 Neeb Road, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at St. Antoninus Catholic Church, 5425 Julmar Drive, on Monday, October 30 at 10:30 am.

The family is most grateful for the care Mary Sue received from the staff of Elite Living, her caregivers, Hillebrand Home Health, and Queen City Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please direct your gifts and memorials to Michael’s Place, 1212 Veterans Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684.