Obituary of Jane Fortuna

Mrs. Jane Lucille Baum Fortuna, 95, of Little Falls, NY, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, with her son by her side.

She was born on January 22, 1929, in Little Falls, NY, the daughter of Richard Philip Baum and Mary Antonia Gerbinski Baum.

In 1946, she graduated from Little Falls Jr./Sr. Highschool as Salutatorian of her class. She then graduated from the Utica School of Commerce with a degree in secretarial/accounting.

After graduation, she worked for Utica College, Bell Telephone, and Attorney Salvatore Capacelatro in Utica, NY. Thereafter, she worked for 33 years as a legal secretary at the law offices of George C. Fiesinger and various attorney associates there. Then, she was employed as a confidential secretary for Herkimer County Attorney and, finally, for 29 years, as the Chief Clerk of Little Falls City Court.

Mrs. Fortuna was a member of the former Christ Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married, serving there as organist for the church and pianist for the Sunday School for many years. In 1992, she transferred her membership to Holy Trinity Lutheran, serving there as an occasional substitute organist, in the voice and bell choir, and as a member of the alter guild. After transferring membership to Holy Trinity, she also served as a part-time organist at Christ Lutheran Church. She also attended Holy Spirit Polish National Church with her husband, and after his passing, she was always warmly welcomed by the parishioners there as a friend of the church.

Mrs. Fortuna was also a longtime member of the Eastern Star, Auskerada Maquaes Rock City Chapter, #204; for over 40 years, she was active in the Cub Scout/Boy Scout program during her son's tenure there. She also enjoyed collecting antiques, gardening, and bird-watching.

She married Edmund M. Fortuna on June 27, 1969, and they celebrated 35 years of marriage, with his passing on April 12, 2004.

She was also predeceased in death by her sister-in-law, Waltie Fortuna, and brother-in-law Ellush Fortuna.

She is survived by her son, Richard J. Fortuna (Jennifer Bellino); cousins Robert Baum, Natalie Bock, Anna Clark, Robert (Isabelle) Gerbin, and Patricia McCarthy;; nephew Brian Fortuna; niece Marion Klik; and their children.

A Funeral Service will occur on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 11:00 AM. Arrangments are under the direction of Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls, NY 13365.

Burial will take place with her husband at Holy Spirit Polish National Catholic Cemetery.

The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you for all the care and support shown to her during her stay at Valley Health Services.

Anyone wishing to make memorial contributions, please feel free to do so to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 E Gansevoort St, Little Falls, NY 13365