Elizabeth Fornnarino

Elizabeth Catherine "Cathy" Fornnarino passed away July 19, 2020, after battling dementia for many years.

Cathy was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on September 5, 1941. She was the 2nd oldest of 6 sisters, and lived in the "Soo" from birth through High School graduation in 1959. As President of Future Nurses at Sault High School, it was no surprise that Cathy moved on from high school to pursue a career in nursing, graduating from Bronson Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1962. After moving out to Littleton, Colorado, in 1973, Cathy continued what was a 50 year medical career in the Healthcare Industry. Starting as a full time nurse at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, CO; then moving on to Director of Nurse Recruitment at Swedish Medical Center, where she was a charter member of the Denver Area Health Care Recruiters Association, holding various offices; and an early member of the National Association of Health Care Recruiters. Cathy completed her healthcare journey as a Nurse Case Manager at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, where she retired just before her 70th Birthday. All through this rewarding full time career spent in tireless service of helping others, Cathy raised 3 children; found time to obtain her Bachelor degree from Metro State University in Denver; and a Master of Science in Nursing, with Master's Honors, from Regis University; all the while attending each & every family sporting/dancing/music/and fun-with-friends events, and being counselor & cheerleader to all. In her "free" time, those who knew her knew she could be found gardening; reading; walking; participating in water aerobics, yoga, & book club; attending 5 o'clock Saturday Mass at St Thomas Moore; or just sitting at her kitchen table, listening to music, and drinking her coffee while reading the newspaper. And we can't forget to mention her Summer annual visits to "The Cabin" in the SOO, to laugh with her sisters, nieces, and nephews in Michigan.

Cathy precedes all her sisters in death: Ann Marie Ware; Carol Hurst; Susan Faunt; Margaret Viele; and Mary Lynn Zimmerman. Cathy is also survived by her children Gina Gallo, Mark Fornnarino, Lisa Staver; her 7 Grandchildren, Anna Gallo, Mia Gallo, Asha Fornnarino, Taj Fornnarino, Ava Staver, Amber Staver, and Alice Staver; her Daughter-in-law, Sharda Fornnarino; and Son-in-laws, Sam Gallo and Brad Staver.

Please share your memories of Cathy and condolences with her family by signing the online guestbook below.

Memorial donations can be made to Friends of Nursing at http://www.thefon.org/donate.php
and to Alzheimer's research at https://act.alz.org/site/Donation

The Fornnarino family would like to share with you the following poem which happens to be one of Cathy’s favorites.

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call.
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me.
God wanted me now; He set me free.