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FUNERAL HOME

Chapel of the Highlands

194 Millwood Drive

Millbrae, California

DONATA FONTANONE Obituary

Donata Maria Fontanone
Passed away peacefully at home with family at her bedside at age 93, on October 20, 2012 in San Bruno, CA. Born on April 15, 1919 in San Vito dei Normanni, Italy. Loving wife of Noris Fontanone, who pre-deceased her in 2007, she is survived by her children Rita Davi, Robert Visini, and Donna Panebianco; her siblings, Rosa, Teresa, Corrado, and Maria, all of Italy; 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one just-born great great grandchild. She immigrated to the Mission District of San Francisco in 1946, where she started her career as a family day care provider. For over 40 years, she was affectionately referred to as "Auntie Tina and Nonna" by her grandchildren and generations of the children she lovingly cared for in her home. In her retirement, she enjoyed traveling to Italy to visit all of her relatives and friends, taking vacations with her love, Noris, and, above all, cooking the most delicious Italian food ever created. She will best be remembered for her laughter, her many eventful and sometimes hilarious stories of life in Italy before and during WWII and, most of all, her unconditional love for her family.
Family and friends may visit after 6:00 PM, Wednesday, October 24, 2012 and are welcome to attend the 7:00 PM Vigil service at CHAPEL OF THE HIGHLANDS, 194 Millwood Dr. at El Camino Real in Millbrae. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, October 25, 2012, 11:00 AM at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1515 Dolan Avenue, San Mateo. Private interment will follow at Cypress lawn Memorial Park in Colma.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Oct. 22 to Oct. 23, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for DONATA FONTANONE

5 Entries

Cris Byers

October 25, 2012

Dearest Visini Family,

I am writing this to you as you are the ones going through the pain of loss. Tina was more than just a family friend to us, as well as all of you. She was like an Aunt and in fact our families always managed to intertwine our lives by our parents being Godparents, etc. to each of us. Tina was my Confirmation Sponsor, when I made my Confirmation at St. Peters in Rome in 1972. I have so many memories of all of our family get-togethers that I will treasure them always. Not growing up with an extended family here in the United States, your mom/grandmother and all of you became our "Extended Family." Although in adulthood our daily lives may not have kept us as close together in proximity as we would have liked, it didn't mean our ties were severed. No matter where we live, we will ALWAYS be tied together, even in the absence of our parents;a pain of loss only those of us who have suffered that loss can understand. We loved her deeply and our heartfelt condolences go out to all of you.

With Deepest Sympathy,
Mariacristina (Marra) Byers & Family

Luigi Peluso

October 25, 2012

Luigi Peluso
Dolores Peluso

Lisa (Marra) Giuliacci

October 24, 2012

You will be always be remembered.You were my extended family, I have so many happy memories of holidays spent together full of laughter.You will be deeply missed.Our prayers are with you and the family. Love you Tina.

Sharon Kiser

October 23, 2012

May all your wonderful memories ease the pain of not having Tina around..I found her a beautiful,caring and most loving lady...

Kelly Devine

October 23, 2012

She was the most beautiful women i've ever met, inside and out. Always made me feel special and loved. She will be greatly missed but will be carried on through her awesome family, my love <3

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Chapel of the Highlands

194 Millwood Drive, Millbrae, CA 94030

How to support DONATA's loved ones

Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.