Giovanna Gloria Biamonte Fonseca of Austin, Texas, daughter of the late Italian immigrants Nicola and Frances Biamonte, was born March 30, 1928 in the New York City borough of Queens. Throughout her 95 years she was known to her friends and family as “Jennie.” Her family relocated to Utica, in upstate New York, where she spent her formative years and attended Proctor High School. It was also in Utica where she met her husband, Robert M. Fonseca, a young airman stationed at nearby Griffiss AFB . They were married in the Catholic Church on April 30, 1955.
As a young military couple, Bob and Jennie raised their family in many locations. Jennie was the consummate military wife who was very active in on-base activities. She raised three boys, sometimes on her own, during the Vietnam conflict. She was active in bowling leagues, worked for the base non-profit thrift shop, was an active member of the NCO Wive’s Club, and performed the expected support duties as the spouse of a senior NCO CMSGT. Jennie and her family enjoyed assignments at USAF bases in New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and England. Their final assignment was in Austin, Texas where they retired in 1981 and remained. Jennie passed away a day after their 68th wedding anniversary.
She is survived by her husband Robert Fonseca of Austin, Texas: her son Robert Fonseca and wife Jennifer of Austin: her son Kent Fonseca and wife Vicky of Northlake, Texas; her son Glenn Fonseca of Austin; six grandchildren: Bryan, Lauren, Caden, Evan, Riley and Dylan; six great grandchildren Avery, Addisyn, Logan, Brinley, Cole and Asher; her sister Anne Maggi of Utica, New York, as well as several nieces and nephews. Jennie was preceded in death by two sisters Rosie Longo, Mary Salvo, and brother Frank Biamonte.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Rosary at 2:00 PM, Mass at 2:30 PM, Thursday May 11, 2023 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 10000 David Moore Drive Austin, TX 78748
BURIAL: 9:30 AM, Friday May 12, 2023 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road San Antonio, TX 78209
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces.
