Lina Fortuna

Lina was born on February 22, 1951 in Pacentro, Italy, a small historic medieval village in the province of L’Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy. Lina was the fourth and youngest child born to Lorenzo Sanzio and Cecilia Cercone, and enjoyed growing up with her older siblings Tonino and Maria. Lina was named after her older sister that sadly passed away at the age of 3.

Lina worked along side her parents on their family farm in Pacentro, and grew up with many farm animals, including her favorite donkey, Prizzicella, who she often told stories about to her children and grandchildren. She grew up in extremely humble beginnings, which led her to appreciate and value all the small things in life.

After Tonino emigrated to Venezuela in the 1950s and Maria left for America after marrying Attilio Silvestri, Lina came to the United States with her mother and father in 1969 in search for a better life. After being in America for only a year, her parents decided that they wanted to return to Italy, and Lina returned with them.

In 1971, a young man named Gaetano Fortuna was working for a food distribution company, delivering supplies to Villa Bakery, which was opened by Attilio and his brothers. Attilio and Gaetano became very good friends, so much that Attilio played matchmaker and told Gaetano that his wife had a sister in Italy, who he thought would be a perfect fit for him. Attilio suggested that Gaetano write a letter and include a picture of himself and send it to Lina in Italy to see if she would be interested in him, which she was.

After a few months of correspondence, Lina came to the United States to meet Gaetano accompanied by her parents. They stayed with Attilio and her sister Maria in Dearborn Heights. Lina liked the United States and wanted to stay here. Her parents returned to Pacentro, and Lina continued to live with Attilio and Maria while dating Gaetano. Coming from a very old-fashioned family, they always had a chaperone on every date, which most of the time was her niece, Concetta, Attilio and Maria’s daughter. After only 9 months, Gaetano and Lina were married on October 28, 1972 at St. Clement Parish in Dearborn, Michigan.

Lina and Gaetano first lived with Gaetano’s parents, Marco and Maria Fortuna, and with hard work and perseverance they saved up enough money to purchase their first home in Westland, Michigan. In 1974, they welcomed their first child, Roberto. Two years later, in 1976, they welcomed their second son, Ezio. One of the proudest moments in Lina’s life was becoming an American Citizen in 1979. In 1981, they welcomed their last child, Cecilia, who was named after Lina’s mother, who passed away while Lina was pregnant.

In 1983, under the guidance of Attilio, Gaetano and Lina opened Country Market Party Store/Pizzeria in Plymouth, Michigan. Lina enjoyed working side by side with her husband in making homemade sauce, bread, pizza, cookies, etc. Lina always said that talking with the customers helped improved her ability understand the English language.

In 1995, she achieved another one of her dreams by building her own home in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Lina was extremely grateful for all of the opportunities that America provided her. It would sometimes be hard for her to believe that she was able to build her own home in America coming from her humble beginnings in Pacentro, where the family had barely enough to get by.

Lina’s family prospered in America, and when her youngest, Cecilia, was old enough, Lina found work at the Felician Sisters Convent in Livonia, Michigan, working with a group of other Italian women. Lina formed many friendships with this tight group of women and with the Felician Sisters, and valued their friendship for the remainder of her life. Lina retired from the Felician Sisters in 2020 after 27 dedicated years of service.

The thing that Lina valued the most in her life was her family. Even with the number of hours she worked, she was extremely dedicated to her family and provided them everything that they needed in being a beloved wife, caring mother, and her greatest joy ever, being a nonna to her 7 grandchildren.

Lina and Gaetano were lifetime members of the Italian American Club of Livonia, which gave her the opportunity to enjoy many of the things that she loved, which was interacting with her friends, playing cards, and her devotion to the Rosary, which she prayed with her friend at the Italian Club every Wednesday night.

Lina was a devout Catholic and was devoted to the Holy Family and to her Madonna in which she wore on a pendent around her neck, which she was rarely seen without.

Lina leaving us was extremely sudden and unexpected. She died peacefully and gracefully surrounded by her family on August 8, 2023.

Lina’s absence has left a tremendous void in the hearts of her family, but we know that she is reunited with her parents, grandparents, and siblings in Heaven that preceded her in death. We know that Lina will continue to watch over her family as she did in life, and we will always feel her presence. We look forward to the day that we can once again be reunited together again.

Lina was preceded in death by her parents, Lorenzo Sanzio and Cecilia Cercone Sanzio, her brother, Tonino Sanzio, and her sister Lina Sanzio. She was the beloved and devoted wife of Gaetano Fortuna of over 50 years. She was a loving and caring mother of Roberto (Anna) Fortuna, Ezio (Kimberly) Fortuna, and Cecilia (Joseph) Morelli. She was the beloved nonna of her seven grandchildren, Xavier and Aiden Fortuna, Dario and Dante Fortuna, and Valentina, Giuliana & Enrico Morelli who were the center of her life. Lina also leaves behind her sister, Maria (the late Attilio) Silvestri in whom she talked to every day, was her best friend, and was with her for her entire life.

May God rest and protect her soul forever.

A visitation for Lina will be held Thursday, August 10, from 2-8pm at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Rd., Livonia, MI 48152. with a rosary at 7pm. A funeral mass with livestreaming will occur Friday, August 11, at 11am at St. Fabian Catholic Church, 32200 W 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills, MI 48334, with an in state period beginning at 10:30am.

Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital.