Maria Fortuna

Maria Fortuna, 62, of Fairfield, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2024, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Bridgeport, daughter of Rena Fortuna and the late Ralph Fortuna, she attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School and Roger Ludlowe High School, class of 1979. Maria held various jobs throughout her life, including at the Fairfield County Advocate where she was a manager and received numerous awards for top sales, advertising and design.

She is survived by her devoted and loving daughter Angela Fortuna, mother Rena Fortuna, sister Anna Fable and her husband John Fable, sister Lisa Fortuna, and brother Michael Fortuna. Also, nieces Alexandra Fable and Erika Fortuna, and nephew John Fable Jr., as well as her beloved cousins and extended family. She was predeceased by her father Ralph Fortuna. 

She will be remembered for her affectionate and silly personality, singing and dancing to Billy Joel, and spending her free time in the sun and by the beach. Maria loved to garden and go on adventures, especially in the fall. She always enjoyed spending time with family, whether it be during the holidays or gathering at her parents' lake house on Red Cedar Lake in Lebanon, Connecticut. She would welcome every new season with decorations and had an amazing eye for detail, which came in handy during her days as a home organizer and caregiver.

Maria took pride in being a great mother and was incredibly close with her daughter Angela. She could always be found rooting for Angela at cheerleading competitions and she loved to brag about her accomplishments. Maria's lively and loving personality is what made her so unique, along with her strength and creativity. Her beautiful smile and kind heart will be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, October 15th at 10am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824. Internment will be at St. Thomas Cemetery following the mass. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Maria's life afterwards at The 19th Hole Bar & Grill at 3001 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605 starting at 12pm.