Obituary of Joann E. Fortino

Joann Fortino, age 79, of Okemos, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the home of her son and surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Fortino graduated from Resurrection High School in Lansing, Michigan in 1958. She was employed in the medical department at Oldsmobile in Lansing before she began her career as a mother in 1963. Joann reveled in her nightly cribbage triumphs as she overcame expert competition from her husband Joe, and enjoyed annual trips to Hilton Head, South Carolina. She insisted on an open-door policy at the family home, in which thousands of gallons of her spaghetti sauce were consumed over the years. Her Easter morning frittata brunches were legendary. Joann's indomitable spirit and no-nonsense approach to truth-telling shined a light on moral darkness wherever it appeared. Joannn is survived by her husband Joseph Fortino; children, Jacqueline (Todd McKinney) Fortino, Jill (Rob) Haidler, Jean (Bill Cooney) Fortino, Mary Jo (Rod ) Jones, John (Melissa) Fortino, Anne (Tamus) O'Neill, Samuel (Jennifer) Fortino, Michael (Nikki) Fortino, and Nick Walton; siblings, Nancy (Ken) O'Donnell, Frank (Sandy) Szedlak, Fred (Barb) Szedlak, Mike (Mimi) Szedlak, Patrick (Adele) Szedlak, Chuck Szedlak, Rick (Darlene) Szedlak, Robert (Sue) Szedlak, John (Jeanna) Szedlak, Tom (Leigh) Szedlak, Sue (Bob) Kelly, Janice Szedlak, and Karen (Joe) Edwards; twenty-one grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service is planned for February 27, 2020, at the Church of the Resurrection, 1514 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing MI. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m., with Mass at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon. Memorial contributions in Joann's name may be made to Mother Teresa House or the Hannah house in Lansing. Friends may share memories and condolences at www.cremationsocietymidmi.com. Arrangements made with Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.