Obituary of Joyce Fortunato

Joyce Fortunato, a longtime Yonkers resident, died Sunday June 5, 2011. She was born in The Bronx on July 22, 1930 to Joseph and Gina (Brucchi) Bongiorno. Joyce moved to Yonkers with her family in 1962 and has been a resident since then. Joyce was involved in Yonkers Politics for many years and served as Treasurer and Vice-Chairman of the Yonkers Democratic Party. She was the owner of Fortunato Realty in Yonkers. She was a member of the Westchester County Board of Realtors and served on the Yonkers Board of Assessment. She received the Women of Excellence award from the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce in 1998. She was a member of the Lion's Club and past president 2002-03. She graduated Cathedral High School in 1947 and Fordham University in 1980. She enjoyed spending time with friends, reading, and travel. Joyce is survived by brothers Joseph, Robert, and William Bongiorno, sister Gina Chiavelli, sisters-in-law Jean Bongiorno and Susan Bongiorno, brother-in-law Richard Chiavelli, sons Michael, John, and Carl, and four grandchildren Kathryn, Jeannine, Michael and Paul, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Her life was spent in service of her family and her community. Friends may call at Sinatra Memorial Home, 601 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers, NY, on Thursday June 9, during the hours of 2-4, and 7-9PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at St John The Baptist Church, in Yonkers, at 11AM. Interment to follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, in Valhalla.