Alice Mary Pontarolo

Alice Pontarolo passed away on Oct. 29, 2015, at home, surrounded by her children.

Alice was born the daughter of Louie and Jennie Fazzari on Feb. 13, 1925, in Walla Walla. She graduated from St. Vincent Academy in 1943 and attended Walla Walla Business College. She was employed by Bird’s Eye Cannery and Pacific Supply Cooperative as a secretary in her early years.

Alice married Albert Pontarolo from Pasco on Aug. 11, 1946, and they raised five children. When her children were grown, she worked in the kitchen at St. Patrick’s Grade School and then part time as a waitress at the Fazzari family-owned restaurant, The Pastime Café. In their retirement years, Alice and Albert enjoyed travel and visits from their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Discovering the computer in her late 60s, she maintained contact with relatives through emails. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and canning. Her pantry was always full of canned green beans, pickles, peaches, pears and tomato sauce. Alice was also excellent at needlepoint and knitting and created colorful afghans for each of her children and grandchildren. In addition, she enjoyed sewing, golfing and bowling.

As an accomplished seamstress, she sewed her daughters’ Sunday dresses, high school dance formals and bridesmaid’s dresses. She enjoyed creating holiday ornaments and baking. Family members often received her cherished friselles, chocolate cookies and honey-covered Italian pastries during the holidays. Birthdays were always remembered and her children, while attending college, received their favorite homemade birthday cake.

She remained a lifetime member of St. Francis Catholic Church Altar Society, the Italian Heritage Association and volunteered at St. Mary’s Medical Center. S he was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayed the rosary daily, and until prevented by illness, attended daily Mass.

Albert, her loving husband of 68 years, passed away in July of 2014. Other family members who preceded her in death include her mother and father; brothers, Frank Fazzari (Virginia), Art Fazzari; sisters, Vivian Stroh (Mike) and Dorothy Criscola (Virgil). She is survived by her sister, Shirley Beaudry (Bob); sons, Michael Pontarolo (Betty) of Spokane, Steve Pontarolo (Regina Maag) of Quincy, Wash.; daughters, Maryalice Pontarolo (Nancy Reid) of Olympia, Julie Moramarco (Peter) of Aberdeen, Wash., and Sandy Skurski (Jerry) of College Place. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and cherished each and every visit. She is survived by nine grandchildren, Christie Kovarik, Amy, Nick and Angela Pontarolo, Chris Pontarolo-Maag, Katherine Pontarolo-Maag, Maia Pontarolo-Reid, Amanda and Alison Skurski; three great-grandchildren, Teddy and Louie Kovarik, Eleanor June Pontarolo-Sacco; and several nieces and nephews.

Viewing and visitation will be at Herring-Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, from 4-7 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, from 9 a.m. until the rosary at 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held Nov. 21, 2015, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, 722 W. Alder, Walla Walla. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials are made to St. Francis Catholic Church and Providence St. Mary Regional Cancer Center.

The family extends heartfelt thanks for the loving care provided by the individuals from Walla Walla Community Hospice and Walla Walla Valley In Home Care.