Mary Jo Vecchiarelli, 86, of Hutchinson, died Dec. 5, 2016, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born Oct. 16, 1930, to Charles and Claire (Smith) Cooney in Fort Scott. Mary Jo was a nurse aid for St. Elizabeth's Hospital and for Reno County Health Department. She was a parish member of Church of the Holy Cross and was attending St. Teresa's Catholic Church, Hutchinson. Mary Jo was a long-time member of St. Ann's Altar Society at Holy Cross and managed the Holy Cross Gift Shop. She volunteered for Rite For Life, attending the March for Life in Washington D.C. for several years, and Reno County Food Bank.

On June 6, 1953, Mary Jo married Anthony John "Tony" Vecchiarelli in Hutchinson. He survives.

Other survivors include: children, Jo Ann Smith and husband Duaine of San Antonio, TX, Chuck Vecchiarelli and wife Polly of Hutchinson, Vince Vecchiarelli and wife Kelly of Overland Park; grandchildren, Jonathan Smith of New York, NY, Erin Sumner and husband Derek of Edmond, OK, Kayla Vecchiarelli of Dallas, TX, Joseph Vecchiarelli of Overland Park; great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Joslyn Sumner; sister, Charlene Cooney of St. Louis, MO. She was preceded in death by: her parents; granddaughter, Katherine Elizabeth Smith; and sister, Jean Ann O'Brien.

Parish rosary will be 10 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, at St. Teresa's Catholic Church, 211 E. 5th, Hutchinson, with Father Michael Maybrier and Father Ned J. Blick presiding. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Catholic Grade School or Trinity Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.