Obituary of Jean Anne Fortino

Jean Ann Fortino passed away on July 9, 2024, at the age of 58. She was deeply devoted to her family, including her son Billy Haskins, of whom she was always proud. Billy and his wife Amber are expecting their first baby, a moment Jean anticipated with great joy. Jean was devoted to her younger daughter Joann Cooney, a state champion cheerleader and a beautiful and caring young woman. Jean was her daughter's biggest fan both on and off the sidelines, beaming with pride at every performance. Jean’s long-time partner Bill Cooney was her friend and confidant with whom she shared the many paths of life that partners travel. She precedes in death her father, Joseph Fortino, and seven siblings, Jackie Fortino (Todd McKinney), Jill Haidler (Robert), Mary Jo Jones (Rod), John Fortino (Melissa), Ann O’Neil (Tamus), Sam Fortino (Jennifer), and Mike Fortino (Nikki).  

Growing up in a large family, Jean developed a love for cooking, and won the coveted Golden Spoon award in the family’s Great Lasagna Cook-off. Her recipe was second only to that of her mother Joann Fortino, who passed away four years ago. Jean was well-known for her abundant culinary offerings at family dinners, and for secretly delivering food to her father’s home refrigerator so he could nourish himself with the foods he liked. 

She enjoyed attending sporting events and was a true Spartan, Lions, Tigers, and Redwings fan. She walked valiant as a two-time champion of the highly competitive Fortino Fantasy Football League. One of her most exciting moments was accompanying her brothers to the Lions/Buccaneers game in Tampa, Florida last year. 

Jean was passionately dedicated to her work in the mortgage industry. Outside of her professional life, she found joy in bird watching and cherished her time with her family at their Dickerson Lake cottage. An avid traveler, she loved exploring new places, especially with her Silly Sisters, creating unforgettable memories filled with joy and laugher.   

Her generous heart was always ready to help anyone in need, and she did so quietly without any need for recognition. 

Jean leaves behind a legacy of love and courage; she is remembered fondly by her family and friends. She was a loving daughter, a fierce and caring mother, an excited soon-to-be grandmother, a beautiful lover, a silly sister, an aunt, a niece and a friend. But more importantly, Jean was a woman who lived. 

She lived…

And her story, victories and defeats alike will be kept sacred, and her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. 

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 11 AM,  August 23, 2024, at St Martha’s Catholic Church, 1100 West Grand River Avenue, Okemos, MI 48864 with Father Mike Murray officiating. The family will receive friends at church prior to the service from 10 AM – 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to Heartland Hospice (https://www.gentivahs.com/services/hospice-care/heartland-hospice/) 2150 Association Dr. Suite 200, Okemos MI 48864; or, The Mother Theresa House of Lansing, (https://motherteresahouse.org) Mother Teresa House P.O. Box 13004, Lansing, MI 4890.

Please sign the online guestbook at  www.cremationsocietymidmi.com.   Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.