Filomena Fonte

Filomena (Fannie) T. Fonte, formerly of Danville, passed away on Monday, March 26, 2007 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Paxton. Fannie was born on July 8, 1916 in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Michele and Raffaela (Sanseverino) Colombo. She married Frank Fonte on May 30, 1939. He preceded her in death on January 10, 2005. Survivors include her seven children: Michael (Berta) Fonte of Silver Springs, MD, Mary Ann (Gale) Galloway of Danville, IL, Christine Taylor of Greensboro, GA, Agnes (Kent) Burgess of Comfort, TX, Joe (Kay) Fonte of Carmel, IN, Joan (Dannie) Smith of Chattanooga, TN, and Frances (Rick) Strebing of Bloomington, IL. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Fannie was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. Pauls Catholic Church for 40 years where she was a member of the St. Pauls Altar Rosary Society. An active volunteer throughout her life, Fannie believed in service to her church and community. She was a member of the U of I Home Extension, Church Women United, St. Elizabeths Senior Auxiliary and Past President of the American Legion Auxiliary. Always involved in her childrens activities, her volunteerism included helping in the classroom, PTA organizations and school fundraisers. Her enthusiasm for education and her love of children prompted her to continue her involvement at St. Pauls School, even after her children were grown. In addition, she owned and operated The Hour Glass Restaurant in Danville with her husband. Fannies hobbies included sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking and gardening. She was an avid reader. Fannie was preceded in death by her six brothers and five sisters and one son-in-law, Harvey C. Taylor. A loving wife, mother and grandmother whose examples of faith, devotion and strength of character inspired her family, Fannie left behind a remarkable legacy for all who knew her. A Mass of Christian Burial for Filomena (Fannie) Fonte will be held at 10:00a.m., Thursday, April 12, 2007, at St. Pauls Catholic Church, 1307 N. Walnut St., Danville, with Father Greg Nelson as Celebrant. Entombment will be in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5-8:00p.m., Wednesday April 11 at Sunset funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3550 N. Vermilion St, Danville, with evening prayer service at 5:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be given to the St. Pauls Endowment Fund, 1301 Walnut Street, Danville or the Alzheimers Association.