Letty Theresa Fornasero

Letty Fornasero, 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at her residence, Astoria Senior Living in Tracy.
Born, Letty Theresa Pelanconi on October 19, 1938 in Whittier, California to Bruno J. Pelanconi and Josephine (Moine) Pelanconi. Nicknamed, Tizia, and growing up in a close-knit Italian family, her cousins were her best friends, spending summers and every weekend on their grandfather’s farm in La Puente.
Letty attended Hudson Elementary and La Puente High School until she moved with her family to Madera following her Junior Year. She graduated in 1956 from Madera High School. After graduation, she attended 4C’s College in Fresno, earning a certificate in Business Administration, subsequently working for the Madera County Health Department as the Executive Secretary to the director.
In 1961, Letty met Tom Fornasero, the love of her life, at her parents’ Silver Anniversary party. They were married on October 19, 1963 and made their home in Tracy. Tom took over his family’s farming operation following the death of his father and Letty took over the business end of the operation, continuing the walnut farming and custom harvesting legacy for over 40 years.
At the time of her marriage and encouraged by her father-in-law, Tom Sr., Letty found her true calling as a community volunteer. Joining Pediatric Sewing at Tracy Community Memorial Hospital, she was a dedicated volunteer for over 50 years. Her “sewing ladies”, including Dolores Borges, became her close friends. They lovingly made hand puppets for all children admitted to the hospital and Christmas stockings for all babies born in December, tucked inside for their trip home.
Once her daughters started Jefferson Elementary in the 1970’s, she became a tireless volunteer for the school. Classroom volunteer, Band and “Mother’s Club” became her priorities, holding many offices, mostly treasurer. Along with her best friend, Rena Cole, they were the chairpersons of the famous Halloween Carnival and manned the ticket booth for many years, continuing even after her girls graduated from Jefferson.
At this time, she also began serving as an election official for the precinct at Jefferson School, continuing in this capacity for over 40 years. She enjoyed bringing homemade cookies and her famous zucchini cake to share with the other election officials and visiting with all of the voters, using it as an opportunity to stay connected with her Carbona neighbors.
In the 1970’s she also began volunteering in the catechism program at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. In 1986, she became a charter member of the Italian Catholic Federation, Branch #390. For decades, she held many offices in the organization, including treasurer, financial secretary and trustee. Along with her husband, she managed taking the reservations for the monthly dinner meetings and provided decorations, desserts and raffle prizes. She was devastated when she was no longer able to fulfill these duties.
During the girls’ high school years, she enjoyed making snacks and providing transportation to school events for all of their close friends, including Jeffrey Alcock, Vickie Madden and Jonathan Scarlata. She never missed a sporting event or fundraiser, cheering on kids whose parents weren’t able to attend! One funny memory is when Jonathan and Vickie were rushing to the car to claim the front seat and Jonathan hopped into the wrong car, where a lady was smoking. Letty watched the entire event unfold from the next car!
Throughout their marriage, Tom and Letty enjoyed travelling to over 30 states and international destinations, meeting new friends with each trip. It was then Letty’s job (pestered by Tom) to maintain correspondence with all of these new friends. After retirement, Letty and Tom became the best Nonni and Nonno to their grandsons, Giacomo and TJ. She spent countless hours nurturing them with books and her love of cooking.
In 2019, Letty and her family made the decision to move her into Astoria Senior Living. While a resident, Letty enjoyed participating in the many activities and craft projects with other residents and staff.
Letty is lovingly survived by her daughters, Lisa Marie Fornasero of Tracy and Julie Lynne Fornasero (husband Tim Logan) of San Anselmo, Grandsons Giacomo Thomas Oliveri (wife Robyn Cully) of Delaware and Troy Eugene Newcomb, Jr. of Tracy. She is also survived by her special cousins, Patricia Richards and Diane Thompson in addition to many other friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her husband Tom Fornasero, her brother Bruno J. Pelanconi Jr, special cousin Antonette Sesock, her parents and in-laws.
Funeral arrangements are with Fry Memorial Chapel. Visitation on Wednesday, January 25 beginning at 1 pm, with a rosary at 6 pm. Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, January 26, 11 am at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Entombment will be at Tracy Mausoleum, followed by a luncheon reception at the IPFES hall.
The family asks for donations to be made in Letty’s name to the St. Bernard’s Parish Building Fund.
The Rosary will be live streamed via her tribute page at frymemorialchapel.com An online guest book is also available for condolences and special messages to the family.

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