Marcella McCann, 88, passed away on April 1, 2026. Born a twin and raised in New Alsace, Marcella graduated from Immaculate Conception High School, now known as Oldenburg Academy. On May 25, 1957, she married the love of her life, Tom McCann, beginning a beautiful partnership that spanned 68 years. Together, they were blessed with eight children.
Marcella had a deep love for children, especially babies, and found great joy in caring for them. She became a beloved babysitter to nearly every child in the neighborhood. At one point, she lovingly cared for as many as 16 children at once—including six newborns—and treasured every moment.
Holidays were when Marcella truly shined. Christmas was her favorite, and she transformed her home each year with decorations from top to bottom. She went to great lengths to keep the magic of Christmas alive, doing everything she could to preserve the wonder of Santa for her children and grandchildren. At Easter, she created special baskets for each child and grandchild, hosted joyful egg hunts, and delighted them with handwritten notes from the Easter Bunny—written backwards and only readable in a mirror.
Marcella also had a playful spirit and loved surprising her children with jokes, especially on April Fool’s Day. Her sense of fun and silliness made childhood magical and full of laughter. Travel was another cherished part of Marcella and Tom’s life together. Each year brought a family camping trip, and their adventures took them across the United States, on an unforgettable Alaskan cruise with their children, and even to Switzerland.
She found great happiness in simple, meaningful pursuits. Marcella loved gardening and tending to her flowers, and she spent her summers canning vegetables, making homemade applesauce, and preparing grape juice. She was also a talented baker, known for Tom’s favorite lemon meringue pie and her famous chocolate chip cookies, which were always a hit with her grandchildren. A woman of many talents, Marcella played the piano beautifully and passed that gift on to her daughters. She was also skilled at sewing, creating clothing for her children and sewing the blue capes worn for many years at All Saints Parish May Crowning Masses.
Marcella was an active member of St. Paul’s Campus and belonged to the Ladies Sodality. A devoted Catholic with a strong love for Mary, she faithfully prayed the rosary each day with Tom. Marcella will be deeply missed by Tom, her beloved husband of 68 years; her children Vincent (Marci) McCann of Nashville, IN; Christopher (Cheryl) McCann of New Alsace; Beth (Larry) Joerger of St. Leon; Mark (Kathy) McCann of Milford; Jeffrey McCann of New Alsace; Leah (Mark) Schmidl of New Alsace; Lynn (Ron) Burton of Lebanon, OH; and Audra (Adam) Steele of St. Leon; her siblings Rosella Kemper, Gerald (Arlene) Wilgenbusch, James (Judy) Wilgenbusch, and Monica (Kerry) Poole; along with 23 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Alphonsius Wilgenbusch; her sister, Mary Steinmetz; her brother, Eric Wilgenbusch; her brother-in-law, Lyle Steinmetz; and her brother-in-law, Ron Kemper.
Visitation for Marcella will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at All Saints Parish, St. Paul’s Campus at 9788 North Dearborn Road, Guilford, IN 47022. Rosary will begin at 9:00 a.m. and visitation will immediately follow until 11:00 a.m.. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. with burial immediately following in the church cemetery. For those not able to attend, the Mass will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/aspweeklyhomily. Memorials can be made to Masses and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memorials will be accepted at the visitation or can be mailed to Andres-Wuestefeld Funeral Home at 25615 State Rt. 1, Guilford, IN 47022. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.andres-wuestefeldfh.com