Dorothy M. LaFontaine

Dorothy Marie LaFontaine, 90, died on Good Friday, April 22, 2011, 2:15 PM, at Southampton Place Nursing Home in Columbia, Missouri, where she had been a resident since May of 2003. Dorothy was born on January 8, 1921, in New Haven, Indiana. .

Dorothy grew up in New Haven, Indiana, graduating from New Haven High School in 1938. She worked as a bookkeeper at Murphy’s and the Grand Leader department stores in Fort Wayne, Indiana upon graduation. Dorothy met her future husband, Joseph Charles LaFontaine Senior, at the St. Peter's Catholic Church bowling alley. They were married on January 16, 1943. Her husband served in WWII in Florida and England. They had two sons, Joseph Charles Junior, born February 19, 1944, and Thomas Paul, born on November 20, 1946. For the first eleven years of marriage, Dorothy was a wife and homemaker who compassionately and effectively cared for her family while living with her in-laws. In 1955, Dorothy entered the labor force working at several Rogers Markets Grocery stores as a meat packer and front sales person in Fort Wayne. She eventually retired from this position in 1983 at the age of 62. In retirement, Dorothy helped her oldest son, Joseph, with his cleaning business, La Fontaine Enterprises, as a bookkeeper and part-time maintenance employee along with her husband.

After retiring, Dorothy and Joseph Senior traveled some including two trips each to Hawaii and Las Vegas. These were highlights of her life with her husband. She often spoke of these trips and shared many pictures and memories from them. She also spoke very fondly of her mother, father, and six siblings and her life growing up on a farm near New Haven during the Great Depression. She had a remarkable memory and loved to tell stories of these days. Early in her retirement, Dorothy discovered a latent talent for painting and completed fifty or more paintings, many of which she gave to family and friends. Dorothy was a loving mother with a remarkably positive outlook on life, full of compassion, caring, and optimism. Throughout her life, Dorothy took care of others. Following major strokes in July of 2000 and April of 2003, she herself required care from others. Having to rely on care from others was very difficult for her. She truly was an inspiration to her family and friends and anyone she befriended. She will be missed greatly by all who had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know her.

Survivors include her two sons, Joseph Charles Junior, of Fort Wayne, IN, and Thomas Paul of Columbia, MO; seven nieces and three nephews, Gloria Evans of Fishers, IN, Rosemary Rohyans of Syracuse, IN, Joyce Stocks of Deland, Florida, Marjorie Ness and Bernie Lehman of Columbia City, IN, Janet Stir Lang of London, OH, Phyllis Cochran of Taylor, MI, Gail Furthmiller of Palm Bay, Florida, Jim Stir of Westerville, OH, and John Stir of Springfield, OH; Daughter-in-law, Linda S. LaFontaine, of Columbia, MO; and Grand-step daughter, Barbara Robbins of Chicago. Her husband, Joseph Charles Senior, and her six siblings, Newton, Nelson, Stella, Richard, Ralph, and Mildred preceded her in death.

Memorial contributions can be made to Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, 3320 North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at St. Therese Catholic Church, 2304 Lower Huntington Road, Ft. Wayne, IN with calling one hour prior. Visitation will also be on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 6 to 8 PM at Elzey Funeral Home, 6810 Old Trail Road, Fort Wayne, IN.