Mrs Lorraine Cardella

Lorraine Cardella, age 83, a native of Los Banos CA, and a longtime resident of Firebaugh, CA, passed away on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at her home surrounded by her caring family.

Lorraine was born to Joe Furtado and Amelia Tucci Furtado in the close knit community of Los Banos which was settled by pioneers from both Italy and the Azores. Lorraine received her education in Los Banos graduating with the Class of 1953 of Los Banos High School. Lorraine later met and married Pete Cardella in 1955 and moved to the nearby community of Firebaugh where she and her husband shared nearly 63 years of marriage until his passing in March of this year. Lorraine was a very supportive farmer’s wife. In the community with much of the activities revolving around the parish of St. Joseph and its former parochial school, Lorraine could always be counted on for supporting the activities. Whether it was volunteering in the classroom as an aide or helping with the Pumpkin Patch fundraiser that Pete so generously donated to the school. Lorraine was also a member of the former parish altar society for several years.

In addition to her parents and husband, Lorraine was preceded in death by a brother Joe Furtado. She is survived by her children, Cindy Robertson and her husband Jeff, and Chris Cardella and his wife Michelle all of Firebaugh, CA, and Lynn Ellison and her husband James of Fresno, CA. She is the sister of Eugene Furtado of Los Banos and sister-in-law to Juanita Furtado of Visalia, Ca. and Lillian Bombardieri and her husband Jim of Aptos, CA. She is survived by her grandchildren Traci Robertson, Jessica Robertson, Dustin Ellison, Nicholas Ellison, Diana Reis and her husband Conlin, Steven Cardella, and Jenna Cardella; and is the great-grandmother of Elaina Reis, and Cassidy Reis.

Visitation will be held at Jay Chapel in Madera, CA, on Monday, September 17, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Firebaugh, CA, on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will follow at. St. Peter’s Cemetery Mausoleum in Fresno, CA.

Remembrances may be made to Terry’s House at Community Regional Medical Center Fresno, c/o Community Medical Foundation, 1530 E. Shaw Avenue, Suite 106, Fresno, CA 93710; or Valley Children’s Hospital, 9300 Valley Children’s Place, Madera, CA 93636.