Girolama (Mae) LaFata, age 83 of Hobart, IN, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 30, 1932 in Cinisi on the island of Sicily, Italy. She married Sam LaFata on July 16, 1953 and shared 62 and a half loving years with him. She is preceded in death by her parents, Filippo and Francesca, brother, Paolo, and son, Phillip. She is survived by her husband, Sam, daughter, Paulette (Donald) Johnson, three grandchildren, Nathan (Kristen) Johnson, Francesca (John) Robinson, and Donny Johnson, great-granddaughter, Penelope Mae Johnson, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by several family members in Italy, including two older brothers, Vito and Giuseppe.
Mae instilled the value of persistence and hard work in her family. When she first arrived in America, she didn't speak a word of English. But that didn't stop her from teaching herself the language, making fast friends, and beginning to forge her own identity. She enrolled in beauty school and studied hard. After graduating, she opened and operated a beauty shop in the basement of her house. She also worked as a seamstress—a skill she acquired as a young girl in Sicily—for Arlin's Cleaners and Hudson's in the Village, until both businesses closed. She worked as a hairstylist until she retired at the age of 75.
When she wasn't working, Mae used her time and talents to serve others. She regularly volunteered to cut hair at a local convalescent home. She also belonged to a small group of women that made weekly nursing home visits to sing to the residents and brighten their days—a group that aptly called itself the Sunshine Ladies.
Mae loved to be around others just as much as they loved to be around her. There wasn't a single person who didn't enjoy her company. She was a role model for all and lived a virtuous life. Through the example she set each day, she taught her family the importance of kindness, sincerity, love, and generosity. If you were in her presence, chances are you had a smile on your face.
The greatest gift she gave her family was showing them the importance of having faith in God. She was a devout Catholic who belonged to Blessed Sacrament Parish until it closed and then became a parishioner of Assumption BVM Catholic Church. During her younger years, she attended church every morning and often prayed the rosary before mass began.
She was a most loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother and had unconditional love for her family. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered in our hearts. She often left the company of others with the same departing message, and now it's our turn to say it to her: "God Bless you and thank you for everything."
Memorial donations in Mae's honor may be made to Assumption BVM Church, 3530 Illinois Street in Hobart, IN or Catholic Charities. Funeral services are Saturday, March 19, 2016 beginning with 9:30 a.m. prayers at Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, IN, and proceeding to Assumption BVM for a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian burial with Rev. Lourdu Pasala officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Mercy Cemetery, Gary. Visitation is Friday, March 18, 2016 from 4-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer vigil at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel.