Licia Fonte (Lee)

Fonte, Licia (Lee) COTTAGE GROVE Licia M. Fonte, age 79, of Cottage Grove, passed away Thursday, March 6, 2008, at the HospiceCare facility in Fitchburg, after years of courageously struggling with her illnesses. She was born to Anthony and Francesca (nee Lattanzio) Fonte on Sept. 8, 1928, in Raiano, Italy. She came to the United States in 1934, at the age of six, and settled in Chicago with her parents and nine year old brother, Nino. She and Nino had a special bond all of their lives; he was her older brother and always "looked out for her." Although she was an Italian immigrant and was very proud of her Italian heritage; she loved America and was extremely patriotic. She went to St. Agatha Grade School in Chicago, and after graduating from the eighth grade, she worked at a Chicago factory making military mufflers during Word War II. When the war was over she worked in a book store in the "Loop," and then as a customer service representative at Sears. She met and married James J. Caccitolo in Chicago on Sept. 3, 1949. They had two daughters, Linda and Judy, and then in 1957, moved to Madison, due to her husbands job transfer. Two more daughters, Nancy and Mary Jo were born in Madison. She leaves behind her daughters, Linda (Tom) Smolich of Beach Park, Ill., Judy (Dan) Aughey of Pardeeville, and Mary Jo Aldrich of Sun Prairie; nine grandchildren that she loved very much and wished she could have seen more often; her beloved older brother, Nino (Pat) Fonte of Berwyn, Ill.; her lovely sister, Francesca Fonte of Madison; a special niece and pen pal, Laura Caccitolo of Lombard, Ill.; and other relatives and special friends in Wisconsin and Illinois. She also leaves behind her faithful cat, Bruno, who was kindly adopted by the office of Dr. Steven Frame DVM, of Deer-Grove Veterinary Clinics in Cottage Grove. She was preceded in death by her parents; her ex-husband, James J. Caccitolo; her beautiful daughter, Nancy J. Caccitolo; her beloved nephew, Gary R. Napier, who was like a son to her; her younger brother, Ben Fonte; and a special nephew, Anthony Fonte. Lee was a very independent and proud woman. She was a very caring mother, homemaker, a deeply religious follower of the Catholic faith, and a member of St. Dennis Parish. She worked for many years as one of the head cooks for the hot lunch program at St. Dennis School. She loved to sing, had a wonderful voice, and sang in the choir at St. Dennis Church. She also worked at their Friday night fish fries and volunteered yearly at their summer festivals selling books. Later in her life, after she became ill and disabled; she watched the "EWTN" channel and enjoyed the televised Masses everyday because she could no longer go to church. She also worked in the catalog department at JCPenneys for many years. She loved to tell stories and had an excellent sense of humor. At the end of every family gathering, she would always say "Now we have new memories to add to our collection of all of the good times we shared together." She was very outgoing, kind and compassionate. She had a special place in her heart for those less fortunate than her and for animals. She loved to feed the animals that were always in her yard, i.e., birds, squirrels, chipmunks, stray dogs, cats, raccoons, and possums. She would always say "They are all Gods creatures and need to be loved and cared for." She had three dogs and a cat, all at one time, and a total of 23 dogs during her lifetime. She was an excellent cook, especially with Italian food. She completed the Nutrition and Food Management course at UW and was recognized with an award for her achievements. She loved to write, a passion that started during World War II when she would write to her brother, Nino while he was in the Navy in the South Pacific. She wrote letters the first thing every morning, while drinking her coffee. Her daughter, Linda sometimes received three or four letters a week. She loved to garden and plant flowers in the spring and fall and had a "green thumb" which was inherited by her daughter, Judy. Lee loved fresh cut flowers, which her daughter, Judy would surprise her with to brighten her day. She was self-taught after grade school, loved to read, and was very well read. She was very knowledgeable and could converse intelligently about many topics. Lee was very content with the simple things in life and treasured her "Little House on the Prairie." We wish to thank Lees special and dearest friend of more than 30 years, Laurel Selberg of Lake Mills, who was always there for Lee even through the last days of her life. Laurel brought her much comfort, love, and happiness. They would pray together and shared their lives over those 30 years. We also wish to thank Team 5 and Pat Lohr, N.P. of Care Wisconsin, whom Lee claimed as her "adopted" daughter. Pat went above and beyond what would normally be expected of a Nurse Practitioner. She showed what a truly compassionate and caring person she is by ensuring that Lee received excellent health care and provided her with love and emotional strength. In addition, Pat provided emotional strength and advice to Lees daughter, Linda. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be at Highland Memory Gardens, 3054 Cottage Grove Road (BB), Madison. There will also be an interment at this time for Nancy J. Caccitolo per Lees wishes. Mama, we know you didnt want to leave us and we didnt want you to go. You will lovingly be remembered for all those wonderful memories we made together. You always showed strength, courage, dignity and humor and were the best Mother in the world to us. You passed down to us your strong set of morals, your faith, and your values. Now its time for us to say goodbye. "Mama we are very proud of you." God Bless you Mama, you are home, your journey is complete. Until we meet again, please know that we love you now and always will. "Your Girls"