Victoria Fortunato

AUSTINTOWN- A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m., at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Ken Miller, for Victoria (Romanov) Fortunato, who died Sunday morning at Omni Manor Health Care Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Fortunato, affectionately known as "Baba" was born on Dec. 24, 1919, in Everson, Pa., daughter of Wasyl, and Sophie (Nebesney) Romanov.

She was a 1938 graduate of Newton Falls High School.

Victoria was a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, where she was actively involved in the Altar and Rosary Society, Senior Citizen Organization, bowling league, and their bake sales. Victoria and her husband, Fred, were also part of the Founding Members of IHM.

Among many interests were baking, especially her famous apple pie, bingo, sewing, reading, traveling to the casino, fishing, and creating beautiful pieces of art. Most importantly, Victoria was family driven. Her family meant everything to her, and she was very proud of all of them.

She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 301.

Victoria married the love of her life, Fred A. Fortunato on Feb. 6, 1940. Fred predeceased her on Aug. 6, 1991.

Victoria will be greatly missed by her three daughters, Marie Lacava and Victoria (Richard) Pesce both of Austintown, and Deborah (Mike) Sulenski of Canfield; sister Ellen Vitello of Florida; eight grandchildren, Amanda, Richard, Anthony, Christopher, Vickie Jean, Melissa, Molly, and Emily; seven great-grandchildren, Timmy, Katie, Gianna, Kaitlyn, Hannah, Adelaide, and Eva; and one great-great-grandson, T.J.

Besides her husband, Fred, and parents, Victoria was preceded in death by four sisters, Ann Tamburino, Stella Lymber, Mary Summers, and Jane Masters; brother John Romanov; and son-in-law Louis Lacava.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, and again on Thursday morning from 10 until 10:50 a.m. at the church.

Victoria's family would like to thank the entire staff at Omni Manor for their compassionate care of their mother during the past eight years.

Victoria was "loved by many, but will be missed by all."