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Joanne E. Fontanella, 82, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away on November 4, 2023 at Buffalo General Hospital in Buffalo, NY. Born in Philipsburg, PA, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Emma (Tuch) McHenry.
Joanne was a graduate of Moshannon Valley High School in Houtzdale, PA. After graduation, she was employed as a Telephone Operator with Bell Telephone in Philadelphia, PA. On May 1, 1965, she married Thomas E. Fontanella, NFFD Ret., in Houtzdale, PA, and the couple moved to Niagara Falls shortly thereafter. Joanne raised her family and worked as the Head Cashier at the Super Duper in Niagara Falls for 17 years. Later, Joanne was employed as the Cash Office Manager at Wal-Mart for 15 years, where she was extremely proud to receive many 5-star ratings for her audits prior to her retirement in 2000.
Joanne was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Mary of the Cataract Church, and had a great devotion to The Blessed Mother. She enjoyed her Dinner Club with her friends, and going to the Casino every Friday where she loved to people watch. She was extremely proud of Niagara Falls and hopeful for its revival, often commenting on the many tour buses and cars with out-of-town license plates that frequented the area. She was very proud of her Victorian House and tending to her flower garden, but most of all, cherished her time spent with family.
In addition to her husband of 58 years, Joanne is survived by her sons, Mark (Becky) Fontanella, NFFD Ret. Battalion Chief, and Paul Fontanella, ABF Trucking Service Center Manager; her grandchildren, Brooke Murdoch and Cole Murdoch; as well as several nieces, nephews and in-laws. She was predeceased by her sisters, Julia McHenry and Mary Louise (Wayne) Smith.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 10 from 3 – 7 PM at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14304, where funeral services will begin on Saturday at 9:45 AM followed by Joanne’s Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary of The Cataract Church, 259 4th Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303. Interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial offerings may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/. Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.
SERVICES
Visitation
Friday, November 10, 2023
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel
2730 Military Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Funeral Service
Saturday, November 11, 2023
9:45 AM
M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel
2730 Military Road
Niagara Falls, NY 14304
Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, November 11, 2023
10:30 AM
St. Mary of the Cataract Church
259 4th Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
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