Mamie D. Stafford
July 16, 1918 - March 27, 2020
Obituary
MADISON - Mamie Dominica (Colletti) Stafford, born July 16, 1918, at her childhood home on Regent Street in the Greenbush neighborhood of Madison, Wis., died at her home in Madison on Friday, March 27, 2020, at 101 years of age.
Mamie is survived by her loving husband of 74 years, Leland Stafford; their children, Thomas Stafford, James (Sandy) Stafford, Donica (Bill) Tschopp, Susan (Dave) Van Natta and William (Spike Tombley) Stafford. She was also blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ryan (Kim) Stafford and their children, Leo and Collette, Leanne (Jeremy) Diener and their children Joseph, Eli, Noah and Abram, Ralph (Sheena) Werner and their children, RJ and Sonja, Jason (Amy) Tschopp and their children, Allison and Nolan, William (Samantha) Drafall and their children, Alexandra and Chloe, David (Marylin) Stafford, Jeremy Drafall, and Christina (Kyle) Scott and their child, Raylan. Mamie’s brother, Peter Colletti of Watertown, is her sole surviving sibling. She was preceded in death by her parents, Georgio and Dominica (Capaci) Colletti; her brothers, Vito, George, Vincent and Joseph Colletti; and her sisters, Ann (Colletti) Ledin and Mary (Colletti) Novick.
Mamie was, if nothing else, the epitome of Motherhood. Nothing brought her more joy than caring, raising and spending time with her family. Whether preparing the weeknight meals shared with her husband, Leland, sister Mary, and grandchildren who lived nearby, or being the surrogate grandmother for the neighborhood kids or the many nieces and nephews too numerous to list, or coordinating the holidays with her sister, Mary, preparing a feast for the 20 people scheduled to arrive and the 20 additional surprise guests. She and women like her should be lauded for their role of bringing life into the world and cherishing and nurturing each generation with nary a second thought.
The life she lived would have made her mother and father proud, for they came to America with dreams of a better life than what they could have back home in Sicily. Through them and their children, each following generation has had it better than the last, the true American Dream. Though it has been a long time coming with those close to her wondering if she may have become immortal, the world is just a bit worse off with the loss of Mamie. May her spirit live on in the people she influenced so that they may also make the world a better place and may she finally rest in peace in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The family requests that any gifts be a monetary donation to Alzheimer's research in Mamie's name. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
TT
Therese (Tess) Thompson
Other •
Dear Leland Stafford, Peter Colletti and Family : My Condolences to you on the passing of Mamie. I don't think I remember her but my Grandparents (Anthony and Anna Cardarella) lived on Milton Street many years ago. I visited them often as my parents lived on Emerald St. in Madison. There were many wonderful memories of the Greenbush and all of the residents. God Bless you and keep you safe during this time.
HV
Hermina VanNatta
Other •
Mamie was an inspiration to those who knew her. It was an honor to know her. My love and heartfelt condolences to Lee and the rest of the family who have been kind and loving to me before and after my son David married Lee and Mamie's daughter, Sue. Mamie, you have left us crying, but what a legacy you have left behind. Thank you. .
AS
Ann Rasmussen and Chris Shade
Other •
Sue and Dave...our sincere condolences I know Ann loved you Mom very much. May God bless you and may she rest in peace in his arms.
L
Laurel
Other •
I can still hear her voice, the only one who called me Laura Jean. I loved it. She made me feel special everytime. Sue, God Bless You and all your good works. Like your mom, you are one of a kind.
PL
Philip N. Little
Other •
Dear Lee Stafford, my deepest sympathy to you and your family for the loss of a spouse with who you shared so many years. I shall never forget the Italian meal she fixed for me at your home on Harding Street back in 1951, when I was a youth of 12 years old. God bless you all.
Phil Little
ML
Maggie Curning Lourim
Other •
Mamie and my mom Sarah Capaci Curning were 2nd cousins and they had a very special bond in fact they looked like sisters. When I graduated from high school, my boyfriend at the time walked in and gave Mamie a big hug thinking it was my mom. She was a gentle sweet lady. My condolences to her family. RIP Mamie.