Mary A. (Fournier) Jakowenko, 85, of Windsor Locks, CT. passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her sister, Doris Rapuna, daughter Susan and son-in-law Dennis LaBonte in Windsor Locks, CT. Thursday September 25, 2014.
Mary was born in New Britain, CT. on August 17, 1929 where she lived for most of her life. She was one of seven children born to Arthur and Clarinthe “Irene” Fournier. Mary was the wife of the late Mitchell “Jake” Jakowenko and co-owner of Jake’s, a family operated variety store, formerly located on the corner of Arch Street and Kensington Avenue in New Britain, CT. Mary was formerly employed my Landers and the Fafnir Bearing Company of New Britain, CT. She was a Nurses Aide at New Britain General Hospital where she met her husband and also worked as a Home Health Aide for the New Britain VNA before she retired.
Mary is survived by her devoted daughter and son-in-law Susan and Dennis LaBonte of Windsor, CT., with whom she lived for several years, two sisters Bernadette Ormsby of Saline, Michigan and Doris Rapuna of New Britain, CT., two brothers Leo Fournier of Daytona Beach, Florida, Donald Fournier of New Britain, CT. and several nieces and nephews. Mary was also fortunate to be adopted and loved by her other family, the Labonte’s. Mary was predeceased by her parents, husband, two sisters Lorraine Ceferatti, Lucille Gwazda and her brother Paul Fournier.
Mary will be greatly missed by all who knew her for her kind and caring ways, her sense of humor, beautiful smile and loving heart. She loved music and later in life could often be found singing out loud. She was a huge fan of Elvis Presley whose image adorned the walls of her room at Bickford where she would wiggle to his songs. She will finally get to see Elvis in concert live in Heaven’s Auditorium.
Susan and Dennis would like to thank the Caring Connection nurses and staff for taking such good care of Mary while she lived in Windsor, CT. Thank you to Bickford Health Care Center in Windsor Locks, CT. where Mary recently lived, and their terrific nurses and amazing CNA’s. You all made her time there happier, healthier and loved. You were her other sons and daughters and she loved you all dearly. Thank you to Beacon Hospice for making her final days more comfortable, cared for and dignified. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mary’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill, CT. 06067 or online at www.alz.org/ct.
Funeral rites for Mary will be held Thursday October 2, 2014 at 8:30a.m. with the procession departing at 9:00a.m. from the Paul A. Shaker/Farmingdale Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Ave., New Britain, CT. followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 195 South Main St, New Britain, CT. Cremation will follow the Mass and private entombment of Mrs. Jakowenko’s ashes will be in St. Mary’s Garden Mausoleum, New Britain, CT. Relatives and friends may call at the Paul A. Shaker/Farmingdale Funeral Home Wednesday from 4-7p.m. – Directions to funeral home – I-84 east or west, Exit 37 (Fienemann Rd) right off exit – one mile down on right. To extend condolences to the Jakowenko Family or to share a memory of Mary, please visit our website @shakerfuneralhome.com.