Long-time Oakland County resident and retired Detroit Public Schools Spanish teacher passes

A deeply loving mother of two daughters and “Nona” to four beautiful grandchildren, Lidia Piraccini Mariona, passed away on March 31, 2026 at Brookdale Memory Care in Grand Blanc, Michigan surrounded by her daughters and beloved cat, Sam.

Born July 6, 1935 in Cesena, Italy, Lidia immigrated with her family — parents Emilio and Lea Piraccini, two sisters and one brother — by ship to Buenos Aires, Argentina after the end of World War 2 to give the family a new start.

This time of her life was met with many mixed emotions, but she embraced the new environment with the love and support of her close-knit Italian family. While Lidia always held Italy in her heart as her birthplace, it was Buenos Aires where she came into her own.

While living in Buenos Aires with her family, Lidia studied psychology at a private university and received her degree. She later worked for FIAT, an Italian company with offices in B.A., earning accolades for her hard work.

Lidia was extremely close with her family and many friends. She enjoyed the gorgeous beaches of Argentina, worked full-time, and observed her own mother closely while she cooked authentic Northern Italian dishes for the family.

Love and an opportunity arose in the late 60s, and Lidia immigrated again — this time to the United States. She settled in Troy, Michigan where her two daughters, Erika and Lorelei, were born and raised. She described learning how to speak English by watching Sesame Street and becoming a keen observer and listener. She also learned how to drive, which she never really enjoyed.

Lidia spoke Italian, Spanish and English (sometimes in the same sentence) at home while working as a translator outside of the home. She was an incredible cook, teaching her daughters to appreciate homemade gnocchi, lasagna, creamed spinach “espinaca” and pound cake, which they loved to make together. She also adored listening to and dancing to Disco music, especially The BeeGees, Pointer Sisters, and Barry White. She was well-read and loved going to the movies.

As a single mother, Lidia often traveled with her daughters to Argentina to spend the holidays in the warm weather visiting extended family. They were always surrounded by love, laughs, good food and family.

A woman with an adventurous, curious spirit, Lidia was able to travel to various parts of the world, seeing many wonders of the world and unique locations.

This curious, hardworking spirit, drew Lidia to attend Wayne State University, where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education. Her daughters recall Lidia using a typewriter to complete her assignments and endless phone calls with her WSU advisor making sure she was on the right track.

She began her career as a full-time Detroit Public Schools Spanish teacher in the 80s. She enjoyed preparing lessons for her students and worked diligently to guide them in learning a foreign language. Lidia retired from teaching and Detroit Public Schools in 2008.

Lidia had many hobbies and interests including a love of classical and pop music, Claude Monet’s impressionism, swimming at the Birmingham-Y.M.C.A and riding her stationery bike. A wonderful cook who never needed a recipe to guide her, she enjoyed sewing and ironing, having made many items for her grandchildren and mended hundreds of pieces of clothing. A true fashionista and style diva, knowing how to accessorize before it was a term. Lidia cherished all animals, especially her cats Sam and Sophie, and her “grand dogs.”

Lidia was strong in her faith and prayed daily for her family and friends, especially through the intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux, known as the “Little Flower.” Her grandchildren were her world.

Lidia is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Erika & Michael Hirschman, Lorelei & David Anderson; and her four grandchildren; Eleanor (Richard) Hirschman-Koester and Audrey Hirschman; Adam Anderson and Jacob Anderson. Also surviving are her niece Viviana (Jose) Marchino Rosales and nephew Marco (Veronica) Marchino all living in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

She is also survived by dear friends Leigh Anne (Tony) Forthofer, Mackenzie (Nick) Gjelaj, Valeria Anderson and Judy Hirschman.

Funeral Mass will take place at 10:00am on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 11804 South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Michigan. Fr. Joseph Krupp to officiate. Family will be present to receive friends from 9:00am until the time of the Mass at 10:00am. A private inurnment at Guardian Angel Cemetery will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express sympathy may consider a memorial donation to the ASPCA and the Michigan Humane Society, honoring Lidia’s love of animals.

Lidia’s family would also like to give much gratitude to the staff and aides at Brookdale Memory Care in Grand Blanc and to the hospice nurses with Michigan Community Visiting Nurse Association and Heart to Heart.