Mamie Barbeara Fertitta, 86, died February 27, 2011, in Beaumont, surrounded by family and friends. She was born on June 17, 1924, in Beaumont, the daughter of the late Clement and Annie Barbeara. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Katy Pillitere, Annie Gibson, Mary Tangredi, Josephine Plaia, Lena Graziano, and brothers Mike Barbeara and Frank Barbeara.
She married the love of her life, Joe T. Fertitta, on February 12, 1946, and the couple had a wonderful life until his death on April 26, 1992. She is survived by her son, David A. Fertitta and his wife Nancy, Mary Ann Dickson and her husband Dorian, three grandchildren, Susan Slocum and her husband Andrew, Michael Fertitta and his wife Leslie, and Matthew Dickson, six great-grandchildren Elizabeth Nobles Slocum, Jane Ann Slocum, Annabel Lynn Slocum, Marion Johns Fertitta, Nancy Claire Fertitta, and Ann Smith Fertitta. She is also survived by her loving sister, Rosie Plaia, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mamie and her husband Joe started Jack's Pak-it, a Beaumont tradition, in 1955, where she met many wonderful and life-long friends, and where she spoiled many young shoppers with a cookie while their parents shopped. She finally hung her apron up in 2005.
After Joe's death, she answered the call from St. Joseph and devoted the first quarter of each year, for the past 20 years, to her "St. Joseph's Altar Crew" at St. Anthony's Basilica, preparing delicious cookies, cakes, spaghetti, and her favorite Mamie's Stuffed Artichokes. She will truly miss this cooking crew, and all of us will miss her wonderful cooking. In fact, they will probably hear her voice echo throughout the parish hall giving instructions. A special thanks to Mamie's dear friend, Mary Ann Fiorenza, who accompanied her all over Beaumont, to mass in the evening or daily devotion at St. Anne's and niece Betty Jo Pillitere Chandler.
The family would like to thank the loving and caring staff of Dr. Bob Birdwell at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital, her caregivers Ana Gourlay, Beth May, and Dori Cruz, all her loving friends who prayed the Divine Mercy Rosary with her in her final days, and a special thanks to Odyssey Hospice Group. God Bless this very special group of people.
A gathering of family and friends will be begin at 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m., at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., March 2, 2011, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson, Beaumont, with entombment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, a reception will follow at St. Anthony Parish Hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Cathedral Basilica Restoration and Repair Fund, P.O. Box 3309, Beaumont, Texas 77704; or Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 829, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
