JENNY LUCILLE WONFOR

On August 14, 2014, one month shy of her 86th birthday, Jenny Wonfor passed away at La Verendrye General Hospital, with family there to see her through.
Jenny loved her hometown. Born and raised in Fort Frances, she was the second oldest child of Italian immigrants, Andrew and Clementina Fontana. She would maintain her Italian heritage throughout the years with her involvement in the Italian Ladies’ Society.
The only daughter of five, Jenny first worked in the family store, Fontana’s Confectionery, then on to employment with the Grey Nuns at La Verendrye Hospital. She left Fort Frances for a brief time to work in Thunder Bay at the News Chronicle and then began her career with CIBC. Upon returning to Fort Frances she maintained employment at CIBC until health issues in 1986, prevented her from working any longer.
On June 6, 1959, Jenny married Morris Wonfor who originated from Toronto, and had been working for Hydro in this area. She then took a hiatus from CIBC while she raised her two daughters, Tracy and Gina, first in the home Morris built her on Nelson Street, and later in their second new home on Fourth Street East.
Jenny’s passions were always her family and friends and faith. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League for more than 50 years and continued to stay active until recently. It was important to Jenny and Morris to provide a welcoming home for celebrations and visits with friends.
A typical Italian Nona, her world revolved around their four grandchildren—Riley, Andrew, Haley and Braedon. Almost daily, she cooked for them and cared for them. Noni and Papa attended their performances, sports events and eventually their graduations. They have received much guidance, advice and memories from their “Noni” to carry them through their lives.
When she wasn’t fussing over her grandchildren, she was waiting on a visit from her brothers, something she always looked forward to.
In her later years, Jenny began to experience medical issues for which she received wonderful care. She was always appreciative and chose to give back through her membership in the Hospital Auxiliary and later fund raising for joint replacement/research. For 10 years she spearheaded the annual “Hip Hip Hooray Walk” along the river, which contributed funds locally for joint replacement. While Jenny’s will to live life was always strong, in the past months, her body could no longer keep up.
Jenny is survived by her husband of 55 years, Morris, and her daughters, Tracy (Guy) Morrish and Gina (Cam) Keast. Her grandchildren, Riley, Haley and Braedon Keast, and Andrew Morrish, will forever hold her in their hearts.
She is also survived by her brother, Larry (Betty) Fontana; brother, Jim (Margaret) Fontana; sister-in-law, Lynn Kehler; nephew David Fontana; and nephew, Mark (Tina) Fontana and their children, Brooke, Nicole and Tyler.
Her sister-in-law Linda, and her husband Domenico George, their children, Terry, Leslie and Dale, with their families, mourn her passing along with step-mother-in-law, Effie Wonfor, and Morris’s additional siblings, Susan, John, Karen, Andy and their families.
Jenny was predeceased by her parents, Andrew and Clementina Fontana; an infant brother; her brother, Bill; her father-in-law, John Sr.; and her sister-in-law, Amanda.
Jenny represented her Catholic faith each day and believed strongly in the power of prayer. Friends and family are invited to gather and celebrate her life on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church. Visitation will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18 at Green Funeral Home, with the Rosary to follow at 7:30 p.m., led by the Catholic Women’s League.
Friends may honour Jenny by donating to Riverside Health Care Foundation, 110 Victoria Avenue, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 2B7.
Online condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.