Isabel R. Fornito

WATERBURY, CT Isabel R. Fornito "Loving Mother, Native of Pennsylvania" Isabel R. (Cugusi) Fornito, 98, entered the gates of Heaven on Monday, February 17, 2025 at St. Mary's Hospital. She was the loving wife of the late Louis J. Fornito who passed away in 2004 after 55 years of marriage. Isabel was born in Shenandoah, PA on October 14, 1926, a daughter of the late Salvatore and Mary Ann (Colosimo) Ross-Cugusi. She was the 7th child of a total of 13 children. Isabel worked 20 years for Plasiglide Manufacturing Company in Waterbury, and after retirement she began to work part time as a lunch aide for the Waterbury School System. She loved to travel to her hometown in PA to see her family and longtime friends. She enjoyed trips to the casino, playing bingo, cooking and baking. Pies were her specialty. Isabel always found the good in people touching the lives of many friends, and was loved by many who were blessed to have known her. Her children and family were always her first priority. "We love you Mom and appreciate all the sacrifices you have made over the years for us". She was a lifetime parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in both Shenandoah, PA and Waterbury, CT. Isabel leaves her four children, daughter, Nancy Fornito and her partner, Peter Loschiavo, of Waterbury, sons, Joseph A. Fornito and his wife, Victoria, of The Villages, FL, John S. Fornito of Waterbury and James L. Fornito and his wife, Laura, of Waterbury, a brother, Joseph Cugusi of Frackville, PA, a sister, Anna Gottstine of Shenandoah, PA, and many grand, great and great-great nieces, nephews and cousins she held close to her heart. She was predeceased by a daughter, Ann Marie Duefrene and son-in-law, Paul Duefrene, her siblings, brothers, Domenick, Carmen, John and Louis Cugusi and sisters, baby Carmella Cugusi, Angeline Tite, Mary Hogan, Jean Benashunas and Antoinette Opella. The family would like to send a special thank you to Isabel's devoted care givers, Wendy and Ingrid for their exceptional care and compassion that was given to Isabel over the last few months. Arrangements: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 785 Highland Avenue, Waterbury. Anyone wishing to attend the Mass for Isabel are asked to meet directly at the Church on Tuesday. There are no calling hours. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Watertown. Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury has been entrusted with assisting the family with the services. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be made in Isabel's name to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude’s Place Memphis, TN 38105