Madeline D. Fortin

Portsmouth, RI - Madeline D. Furlong Fortin, 88, formerly of Anthony House, Portsmouth, RI, Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Rehoboth, MA, died Monday, January 2, 2012 at Village House Nursing Home, Newport, RI.Madeline was the wife of the late Roger Arthur Fortin. She was born in North Providence, RI to the late Andrew and Lillian Sherman Furlong. Her siblings George Furlong, John Furlong and Irene Hargreaves predeceased her. She leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law Eileen and Vince Cermak and her much loved grandson Michael Cermak.Madeline was first and foremost a homemaker but had a work history as a switchboard operator for Royal Electric in Pawtucket, RI and in later years as a gold solderer at BA Balou in East Providence, RI, where she enjoyed many good friends.Madeline worked along side Roger in building their home in Rehoboth, MA in the late 50s. There she enjoyed her hobbies of crocheting, painting and playing the organ. She was self-taught in all. Always a member of the Catholic Church she was most recently a member of the Jesus Saviour Community.At Village House, Newport, her extended family for the past 1 years she was known for her independent spirit, words of wisdom humor and most of all for being feisty. She loved all the staff there and her friends, Mary, Kate and Jeanne. Words cannot express her familys appreciation for the love and care everyone there always gave her. We also appreciate the care she was given by Home and Hospice of RICalling hours will be held on Thursday, January 5 from 4:00-7:00pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Her funeral will be held on Friday, January 6, 2012 at 8:00am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00am in Jesus Savior Church, Broadway and Vernon Avenue, Newport. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to Village House Nursing Home, 70 Harrison Ave, Newport, RI 02840.