Irene Fonfara

Irene Fonfara was born Irene Widzinski on September 3, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan to Joseph and Victoria Widzinski. Irene was raised in Hamtramck, Michigan and attended St. Ladislaus High School.



On December 18, 1941, Irene married Henry S. Fonfara. The couple raised four children, David, Philip, Suzette and Marian. In July of 1955 the family moved from Hamtramck, Michigan to La Mirada, California. La Mirada soon became home as Irene and Henry became involved as founding members of Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church. Professionally, Irene worked as an admitting supervisor at La Mirada Community Hospital and Brea Community Hospital until her retirement.



Irene had many interests. She was an avid reader and pinochle player. Irene was an excellent Polish cook, especially preparing traditional Polish foods on her favorite holiday of the year, Christmas Eve, Wigilia. She also loved to shop! Irene traveled throughout Europe and even had an audience with Pope John Paul II where the two spoke together in Polish.



On Thursday, August 14, 2014 Irene passed away in La Mirada, California. She is survived by her four children David (Peggy), Philip (Kathleen), Suzette (Gil) and Marian (Jim), 7 grandchildren Matthew, Jeff, Jason, Stephen, Peter, Brigid and Joe and 8 great grandchildren Justice, Chase, Jake, Andrew, Ava, Ben, Zoe, and Kaitlyn Irene.



A Vigil service will be held at 5pm on Monday, August 18, 2014 at White Emerson Mortuary, a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at Beatitudes of Our Lord Catholic Church followed by Interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights, California. Zestat ci Pan Jesus dwch aniotw z nieba. (Jesus sent you two angles from the heavens)