Muriel Fontana

Meriden- Muriel Fontana, 80, of 34 Plumb Ave., beloved wife of James V. Fontana peacefully entered into the gates of heaven on Sept. 1, 2004 surrounded by her loving family. Muriel was born October 24, 1923 in Cheshire, Ct.,daughter of the late Albert and Christine (Paulsen) Olsen. She was a graduate of Humiston School in Cheshire and a 1941 graduate of Hamden High School. Muriel was very proud of her Norwegian Heritage which was evident in her wit and humor. She had many fond memories of growing up in Cheshire on Bishop Farms. Muriel married James on Sept. 9, 1950 in Southington, Ct. and they moved to Meriden where they raised their four children. She was proud to be a mother and very proud of her entire family. In addition to her beloved husband, James, Muriel is also survived by her son, James Jr. of Torrington and her three daughters, Susan Bieler and her husband Randy of Cheshire, Nancy Bracket of Prospect, and Barbara Cotton and her husband Joseph of Locust Grove, Virginia. Muriel also leaves seven grandchildren whom she dearly loved and of whom she was so proud. They were the sunshine of her life. She loved spending time with them and they affectionately called her ''Ra Ra'' and ''Gramma Yes Yes''. She will be missed by granddaughters Elena Sileo and her husband Daren of Torrington, Leanne Fontana of Torrington, Jessica Racine of Virginia and Grandsons Eric and Kevin Bieler of Cheshire, and Peter and James Bracket of Prospect. Muriel was predeceased by her parents Albert and Christine, her sister Alice, brothers Charles and Albert and a son-in-law Peter Bracket III. Relatives and friends my call at the Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden on Sunday, Sept. 5 from 5-8pm. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home at 8:00pm with the Rev. Eric Fjeldal officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery on Tuesday, September 7 at 10:30am. The family wishes to extend their warm thanks to Dr. Nedkarni and staff at MidState Medical Center, the doctors, nurses and staff at Masonic Healthcare Center in Wallingford, and the staff of Coccomo Memorial Health Care Center in Meriden for their kind and gentle care. The family would also like to thank everyone for their support and prayers throughout Muriel's illness. To send a condolence please see obituary at www.beecherandbennett.com.