Margaret B. Fortunato (DeFonde)

Margaret B. Fortunato, 97, of Wheaton Rd. Syracuse, died Friday, November 24, 2017. Margaret was born in Skaneateles and grew up in Auburn and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Rose DeFonde. She resided on Butternut St. on the North side of Syracuse until 1968 when her family moved to Wheaton Road where she raised her family. In her youth, Margaret enjoyed bowling, roller skating and softball. Margaret and her husband built their summer camp in 1952 on Horseshoe Island which has remained in the family since then.
Margaret worked as a clerk at Learbury's, The Ornamental Co. for several years. She later worked with her husband as a bookkeeper at Fortunato Electric and managed rental property associated with the business. Margaret was a longtime communicant of Our Lady of Pompei Church as well as a loving mother, with a huge heart. She was a fabulous Italian cook, best known for her homemade meatballs and braciole. Anyone who met her fell in love with her spirit and she always loved to reminisce with family and friends about the good old days. She also had a special place in her heart for any animal; stray or otherwise.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Nicholas "Nick" J. Fortunato, in 2002 and by her siblings: Frank and Samuel DeFonde, Sue LoCastro, and Mary DeTommaso.
Margaret is survived by her three sons: Stephen N. Fortunato of Syracuse, Eugene J. Fortunato of Syracuse, and Michael N. Fortunato of Clay; her special daughter-in-law Rosie Fortunato who was the "heartbeat of her life" of Clay; her grandkids, "Lucky" and "Peanut"; and by several nieces and nephews.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057 or to the Humane Assn., 4915-1/2 W. Taft Rd., Liverpool, NY 13088.
Friends may call on Monday from 4-7 pm at Krueger Funeral Home, 2619 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale. A Prayer Service will begin on Tuesday 12:15 pm at the funeral home followed by a 1pm Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Pompei Church in Syracuse. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Syracuse.