Carmella (DiForti) Garofalo, age 89, of Commerce Township, died Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Ahava Group Senior Care in West Bloomfield. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Linda (Gary) Kilduff, Sandra Lucas, Deborah (Blaine) Bireley, Daniel (Diana) Garofalo, and Carla (Tony Prudhomme) Garofalo; eight grandchildren: Heather (John) Gray, LeighAnne Ward, Charles Lucas, Alison Kilduff, Christina Turner, John Garofalo, Daniel Garofalo, and Katelyn Garofalo; eight great-grandchildren: Kelsey Ward, Mackayla Ward, Kaleena Williams, Jacob Gray, Ava Gray, Perryá Pope, Alanzae McCullers, and Torence White; two sisters: Agnese DiForti and Rose Cubba; and many nieces and nephews
Carmella was born October 17, 1930 in Detroit, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Cataldo and Santa (Collesano) DiForti. She and John Garofalo were married on July 19, 1952. Throughout her life, Carmella was a homemaker and loving mother, who took care of her five children. She was a devoted parishioner at St. Patrick Catholic Church in White Lake for forty-two years, and enjoyed the time she spent with the Fifty and Up Senior Group at St. Patrick’s. Additionally, Carmella was an active member of the Dublin Senior Center.
In her free time, Carmella enjoyed reading romance novels, watching the Hallmark Channel, and doing word search puzzles. She also loved to go to garage sales, thrift stores, and play bingo. Most of all, Carmella enjoyed spending quality time with her family and friends. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Carmella was preceded in death by her parents, Cataldo and Santa; her husband of fifty-five years, John Garofalo; and her brother, Tony DiForti.
Carmella’s family will receive friends at the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home White Lake Chapel, 1233 Union Lake Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386 on Monday, February 24, 2020 from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Family and friends will gather to pray the Rosary at 6:00 pm On Tuesday, Carmella will be taken to St. Patrick Catholic Church, 9086 Hutchins Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386 to lie in state from 10:00 am until the time of her funeral mass at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery. Those desiring may consider memorial donations in Carmella’s name to the American Heart Association or to the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
