Thelma Foghino, 101

Thelma Foghino, 101, passed away early Tuesday morning, Dec. 17, 2013 at Clare Bridge of Portage. She was born on Aug. 8, 1912 in Three Rivers, the daughter of the late Chester and Lillian (Bent) Howard and spent most of her life in Three Rivers. On July 30, 1932, she was united in marriage to Charles W. Foghino. Thelma worked as a beautician her entire life, owning her own salon and also working for various salons over her lengthy career. In the mid 1970s, she and Charles moved to Florida to retire. Following Charles’ death in 1979, Thelma moved permanently to Melbourne Beach, Fla., where she would reside for many years. In 2008, Thelma moved to Portage to be close to her family, where she remained. Surviving are three children, Daisy Metzelaars of Portage, James (Eileen) Foghino of Niles and Thomas (Jean) Foghino of Kalamazoo; 17 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Diane M. Foghino of Three Rivers; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband, Charles; son, John Foghino; two brothers, Robert and Harry Howard and sister, Winona Dyer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1150 W. Centre Avenue, Portage, with Fr. Stanley Witek, celebrant. Friends may visit with the family from 10-11 a.m. on Friday morning at the church. Private interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Congregation of St. Joseph or Loaves and Fishes. Thelma’s family would like to express a special thank-you to the wonderful staffs and physicians at Wynwood, Clare Bridge and Great Lakes Hospice for all the care and support they have shown her over the years. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes. Please visit Thelma’s personalized webpage for directions, her online guestbook or to leave a condolence to Thelma’s family at www.langelands.com.