IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Epifania Giacone
"Fania" Wellnitz
April 9, 1933 – November 24, 2011
Obituary
Rockford
Epifania "Fania" Giacone Wellnitz, 78, of Rockford, died Thursday, November 24, 2011 at Stephenson Nursing Center in Freeport.
Born April 9, 1933 in Sambuca, Sicily she was the daughter of Nicolo and Antonina (Mule) Giacone. She married Anthony G. Sparacino and he died in 1975. She married Donald Wellnitz and he died in 1994.
Fania lost her mother when she was 4 years old. This meant she had to work in the fields with her father who she was very close to. When the family decided to come to America she was ill, could not travel, and had to live in the Convent.
As a teenager she came to America on her own arriving at Ellis Island. She had to live in a New York City Orphanage until her family could take care of her.
Fania was a devout Christian. She lived courageously dedicating her life to raising her family. An animal lover she enjoyed her dogs.
She was a volunteer for Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford.
She worked at River Bluff Nursing Home for many years and then at Swedish American Hospital.
Surviving are her daughters Felicia of California and Anita (Willie) VanBrocklin of Elizabeth; her sister, Mary (Ubaldo) Carroccia of Marengo; 4 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews including her special niece, Carmela (Garry) Propst of Rockford; her special nephew, Joe Giacone of Morris; and her special cousin, Pat Spinello Smith of Niles, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; her sister, Frances; and 2 brothers, Salvatori and Jasper.
There will be a funeral Mass 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2011, Franciscan Friars presiding, at St. Antony of Padua Catholic Church, 1010 Ferguson Street in Rockford.
Visitation will begin 10 a.m. until time of service at the church on Wednesday.
A memorial has been established for Stephenson Nursing Center in Freeport.
The family wishes to thank the following for their loving care of Fania; Alria Warner, Stephenson County Nursing Center, and Provena Adult Day Care.
Please view the Family Guest Book and sign the condolence page at www.walkermortuary.com
Epifania "Fania" Giacone Wellnitz, 78, of Rockford, died Thursday, November 24, 2011 at Stephenson Nursing Center in Freeport.
Born April 9, 1933 in Sambuca, Sicily she was the daughter of Nicolo and Antonina (Mule) Giacone. She married Anthony G. Sparacino and he died in 1975. She married Donald Wellnitz and he died in 1994.
Fania lost her mother when she was 4 years old. This meant she had to work in the fields with her father who she was very close to. When the family decided to come to America she was ill, could not travel, and had to live in the Convent.
As a teenager she came to America on her own arriving at Ellis Island. She had to live in a New York City Orphanage until her family could take care of her.
Fania was a devout Christian. She lived courageously dedicating her life to raising her family. An animal lover she enjoyed her dogs.
She was a volunteer for Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford.
She worked at River Bluff Nursing Home for many years and then at Swedish American Hospital.
Surviving are her daughters Felicia of California and Anita (Willie) VanBrocklin of Elizabeth; her sister, Mary (Ubaldo) Carroccia of Marengo; 4 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews including her special niece, Carmela (Garry) Propst of Rockford; her special nephew, Joe Giacone of Morris; and her special cousin, Pat Spinello Smith of Niles, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; her sister, Frances; and 2 brothers, Salvatori and Jasper.
There will be a funeral Mass 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2011, Franciscan Friars presiding, at St. Antony of Padua Catholic Church, 1010 Ferguson Street in Rockford.
Visitation will begin 10 a.m. until time of service at the church on Wednesday.
A memorial has been established for Stephenson Nursing Center in Freeport.
The family wishes to thank the following for their loving care of Fania; Alria Warner, Stephenson County Nursing Center, and Provena Adult Day Care.
Please view the Family Guest Book and sign the condolence page at www.walkermortuary.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Epifania Giacone "Fania" Wellnitz, please visit our flower store.
Epifania Giacone "Fania" Wellnitz's Guestbook
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