Mary Frances “Tudie” Bessignano, 72, of Peru, passed away at 12:25 PM, Friday, April 28, 2017 at Blair Ridge Health Campus Peru, IN. She was born in Detroit, MI on January 7, 1945, the daughter of Allen and Helene Weitzel Fooshee. Tudie married Timothy Bessignano in Las Vegas on February 14, 1986, and he survives. Tudie was a 1963 graduate of Peru High School, she attended Indiana Wesleyan, and graduated from Indiana University of Kokomo with a degree in Nursing. She was employed for several years in surgery at Dukes Memorial Hospital and served as the Miami County Health Nurse until her retirement in 2007.

Tudie was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society and the Daughters of Isabella. She was an active volunteer with the Peru Circus and the CCFI Museum. Tudie had a passion for living and she had an infectious love for life, family and friends and particularly for her grandchildren. She was an excellent Italian Cook having learned from her mother-in-law Edie Bessignano. In her younger days she also worked at Froggie’s, a Peru landmark.

Surviving in addition to her husband Tim, is a son Chad Eikenberry and his wife Michelle of Boston, MA; step-children Chad Bessignano of Chicago, IL, and Lisa Bessignano of Rochester, IN; grandchildren Timothy Eikenberry, and Aubrianna Eikenberry; brothers Richard Fooshee of Peru, IN and John Fooshee and his wife Myra of South Bend, IN; sisters Georgann Hahn of Peru, IN and Christine Petersen and her husband John of Sacramento, CA.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Mary Frances Bessignano will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday May 2, 2017 at the St. Charles Catholic Church, 58 W. 5th Street, Peru, IN with Rev. Adam Mauman officiating. Family and friends will gather from 5:00–8:00 PM, Monday, at the Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main Street, Peru, IN. There will be a prayer service at 8:00 PM Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made through the funeral home to Miami County Helping Hands or the St. Charles Catholic Church Restoration Fund.

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