Faye Elaine (Edwards) Ciocca 1938 - 2024

Faye Elaine Ciocca (Edwards) AKA "Nony", 85, of Lexington, Missouri passed away peacefully surrounded by family in her home on January 6, 2024. Nony was born on November 27, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri to Francis Edwards and Alta Thompson. She was one of three siblings and was raised mostly by her aunt, Pearl Edwards, after her mother's passing. She always talked about the love and admiration she had for Pearl for stepping in to help raise her. She joined the Marine Corps in 1957 and served with a beloved friend, Yvonne Finley, who she reconnected with later in life. She married John Ciocca on December 11, 1958 in Jackson County, Missouri. She left the Marine Corps the same year and went on to raise her four children. She was also a huge part of her grandchildren's lives and helped to house and raise them throughout the years. She always worked multiple jobs to help make sure everyone had what they needed.

She loved bird watching, doing crossword puzzles, watching westerns, and making banana bread. She was the most caring, giving, and loving person to all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Retha Mesa, John Ciocca, and Wendy Long; grandchildren, Brandie Ciocca, Jessica Ciocca, Sara Ciocca, Clinton Ciocca, Rosa Ciocca, Hailey Long, Jazzmine Long, Justin Ciocca, and Ethan Ciocca; and great grandchildren, Erik Nightengale, Devin Nails, Alexis Nails, Logan Romines, Jane Ciocca, Anthony Romines, Jaxon Wagar, Scarlett Martin, Cassius Ciocca, Priscilla Ciocca, and Simeon Ciocca. She was also survived by her pets, Smokey, Casper, Missy, and Shiloh, as well as many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis Edwards and Alta Thompson, her husband, John Ciocca; her pets, Oscar, Mary, Sally, Sophia, Charlie, Dusty, and Girl, as well as many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life will be held with close family members only. If anyone would like to make a donation in her name, she loved the Wildlife Society. It would also be appropriate to donate to the National Kidney Foundation.

As Nony would always say, "Love many, trust few, but always paddle your own canoe."