Heaven gained a new Sicilian cook! Mary Ann James (nee Gagliano), made the journey to join her parents and brother Stevie in Heaven on Thursday, February 12th, 2026. She is now at peace. Our family cannot thank the ICU staff at St. Mary’s in Madison, WI enough for their support and compassion shown to Mary Ann and us while she prepared to leave this world.
Born on July 24th, 1955, in Milwaukee to Steve and Mary (Gallo) Gagliano, Mary Ann was generous, thoughtful, and full of heart. She showed love that extended far beyond the boundaries of family. It was common to leave her home with multiple containers of something she recently replicated from watching videos of many, many Italian Chefs. It also was not uncommon to receive those video links via Facebook Messenger in the middle of the night. IYKYK!
She spent most of her working life at W.H. Brady Company in Milwaukee, WI where she met her lifelong friends, her work Mom Jean Domrose, “The Booze Hags”: Diane, Pat, Sandy, Shirley, Cindy, and honorary “Booze Hag” Bridgette. After her time at Brady, Mary Ann managed Deer Creek Apartments in New Berlin where she met many more people who were dear to her.
Mary Ann was a loving and supportive spouse to Gerard, a caring and loving ‘Auntie Momma’ to Tim (Marc) and was instrumental in making him the strong, loving person he is today; sister to Camilla (Kitty) and aunt and friend to Terri, Nick, Gino and many, many more who touched her heart.
She had an impact on so many throughout her life, and her memories will continue to guide all of those she loved.
Visitation will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home 10121 W. North Ave. Wauwatosa from 10am until 12pm.
