Decades after losing daughter, new book deals with loss of survival

ZANESVILLE – When Ronna Bucci died in 1998 at the age of 28, grief invaded the lives of those close to her.

As difficult as it was for her parents, siblings, and many friends to come to terms with her suicide, it was nearly impossible for Ronna’s dog, Murphy, to figure out why her best friend wasn’t coming home.

Ronna has passed away 23 years now and her mother, Mary Ann Bucci, has found the strength to write about the loss of her child.

In the years since Ronna’s death, Bucci has spoken at many events and scholarships have been created in Ronna’s name, but her story has never been told like this before.

It’s written through the eyes of Ronna’s beloved dog.

“This is Murphy’s story,” Bucci said. “So that’s from when Murphy first met Ronna.”

Ronna graduated from Bishop Rosecrans High School and continued her education at Indiana University on a golf scholarship.

She then ended up in Los Angeles with Murphy.

“They had a great life in LA without the drugs and his mental illness,” Bucci said. “I mean, they had amazing experiences, meeting people who were really informative.”

After several years of working in LA, she returned home to Ohio.

Ronna was a talented artist and athlete who battled her mental illness without finding peace on earth.

Murphy was by his side during it all.

As the family cried, so did Murphy, and Bucci took note.

His book puts into words what Murphy couldn’t say, but what she could see in him.

She encourages those contemplating suicide to choose life and helps grieving families find their strength.

At the countless conferences Bucci has been invited to since Ronna’s death, usually around Mother’s Day, she shares her own story of grief and persistence.

“If you lose a child and are a mother, it’s like the worst thing in the world to happen to you. God gave me this wonderful gift of making art, and it just kept me alive.” , she said. “In 1998, when I lost it, I counted, I must have made 200 originals that year. I just worked and worked and it really helped me a lot.”

When her husband wanted to stop celebrating holidays and special occasions, Bucci found the strength to keep pushing forward.

“Just do it,” she said. “You do it because, you know, everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has been touched by a certain sadness.”

At public speaking events, Bucci gives advice on how to find happiness during dark times.

“I had to figure out right away how to tell these people how to get their joy back,” she said.

This is also something that she included in her book.

“This part is so important to me. It is the way to find your joy. That sentence, she said,” If only you could feel how important you are to those who love you, then you would never think of them. quit, and that’s the truth, ”she said.

Bucci is releasing his book this week and will be making several public appearances for dedications throughout the year.

She will be at the Zanesville Farmer’s Market on September 18 from 9 a.m. to noon with books available for purchase.

Books can also be purchased online at www.maryannbucci.com by sending a message or calling 740-704-4334.

[email protected]

740-450-6758

Twitter: @cmholmesgannett

About Karren Campbell

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