Submitted by: Dan Rich
Dec. 26, 1919 - Feb. 20, 2003
South Bend Tribune 2/23/2003
Elizabeth "Betty" Fotia, 83, of Mishawaka, Ind., died Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka.
She was born December 26, 1919, in Plati, Italy, a daughter of Dominic and Frances Nunneri. Betty came with her family to the United States when she was six years old.
On April 20, 1940, she married Dominick A. Fotia, and they made their home in Mishawaka. From 1940 to 1982 the couple owned and operated the Fotia Supermarket.
Betty was a longtime member of St. Monica Catholic Church, and was a former member of the Diloreto and De Amici's Clubs. She enjoyed cooking and was talented in flower and vegetable gardening, with tomatoes and roses being her specialties. Betty found happiness in giving to others. Family, neighbors and friends were all recipients of her generosity and love. Betty was a friend to all, and no one was a stranger. Her faith was an important part of her life, as was her family including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Following Dominick's death in 2000, Betty lived with her daughter Mary, and also attended adult day care where she brought joy to the others there.
Her family includes her five daughters, Mary (Paul) Pignone of Mishawaka, Frances Carpenter of Mishawaka, Betty (Mike) McGann of Mishawaka, Toni (Tom) Ford of Osceola, Ind., and Donna (Brian) Harker of Granger, Ind.; 14 grandchildren, Paul (Ana) Pignone, Theresa (Jerry) Manis, MaryAnn (Tim) Davis, Dominic (Mary) Carpenter, Lisa (Jeff) Dial, Ryan McGann, Brandon McGann, Adrienne McGann, Collin McGann, Jeff Ford, Emily Ford, Adam Harker, Sara Harker and Jason Harker; six great-grandchildren, Megan Pignone, Nicholas Pignone, Amanda Manis, Matthew Manis, Anna Carpenter and Cameron Carpenter; many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Richard Carpenter; a brother, Joseph Ferreri; and a sister, Mary Catanzarite.
Friends may call 2 to 8 p.m. today in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, 503 West Third Street, Mishawaka, where a Rosary with vigil service will begin at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday in St. Monica Catholic Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Fr. James Stoyle officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Student Tuition Fund at St. Monica School.