Irene I. (Inez) Fortin

Naugatuck-Irene (Inez) Fortin, age 92, passed away peacefully on Monday April 3, 2023 at Glendale Center surrounded by her loving children.

Born in Waterbury, CT on June 20, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Marguerite (Boucher) Inez and the late Virgil Inez.  She was predeceased by her husband of 35 years Clarence J. Fortin, her son David Joseph Fortin, and her brother Virgil Inez.  She was a graduate of Wilby High School Class of 1948.  Irene was co-owner of Fortin’s Restaurant and the Crystal Room in Naugatuck.

Irene was on the class reunion committee of “48 Wilby” and golfed with the East Mountain Wednesday Night League before moving to Venice, Florida with her husband of 22 years David Soucey.  She was active with the Ladies Guild at St. Patrick’s Church as well as St. Francis Church and was a member of the parish council.  Irene was an active sports enthusiast and loved the New York Yankees, New England Patriots, and UCONN Huskies.

Irene leaves behind her three daughters, Donna DiMichele and her husband Mickey of Wolcott, Pamela Leary and her husband Thomas of Prospect, and Paula DiBiase and her husband David of Weymouth, MA, and her son Mickey Fortin of South Carolina.  She leaves six grandchildren, Sarah (Edward) Callahan, Brett (Denise) Gianelli, Christopher (Kacia) Leary, Jamie Fortin, David DiBiase, and Matthew DiBiase; six great grandchildren, Cody Callahan, Michael Gianelli, Nathan Leary, Dylan Callahan, Benjamin Leary, Miles Gianelli, and expectant baby girl Gianelli; her sister Bernice DePalma of Florida; her sister in law Anita Wrogg of Naugatuck; brother in law Lawrence Fortin of Middlebury; and her sister in law Donna Inez of New Jersey; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Glendale Center for all their kindness, love, and exceptional care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday April 12, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street, Naugatuck. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery in Naugatuck.  Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street in Naugatuck.  To send an online condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com

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