M. Elise Fatula, 95, of Rochester died peacefully on Saturday, August 27, 2022. She was the widow of the late Joseph Fatula.
Born in Gardner, Massachusetts and raised in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Florence (Breault) Leger.
Elise spent many summers in Nantucket where she met her husband Joseph. They moved to Rochester in 1961. Elise’s interesting life was filled with many interests and hobbies: Decorating cakes, painting, bowling, traveling, playing cards, bingo and she was an avid reader. Known affectionately as “The Butterfly Lady”, she enjoyed teaching CCD and spending time at the Rochester Senior Center. Elise was a real estate broker for Century 21 for many years. Most of all she loved singing and spending time with the people she loved.
Survivors include her children, Dale Fatula of New Bedford, David Fatula and his wife Debra of New Bedford, Michael Fatula and his wife Brenda of Marion, Laura Mendes and her husband George of Rochester, and Julie Couto and her husband Stephen of Rochester; a sister, Renee Leger of New Bedford; her grandchildren, Marc Fatula and his wife Brooke, Andrew Fatula, Cory Fatula and his wife Sandra, Jennifer Wilson and her husband David; her great-grandchildren, Layla, Ella, Kendall, Claire, and Colin; her brother in law, John Fatula and his wife Gladys; her sisters in law, Pauline Fairchild and Dolores Leger. She is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews as well as countless good friends including her best friend Raymond Yates.
She is predeceased by her brother Joseph Leger, Jr. and her daughter in law Trudy Fatula.
Elise’s Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, September 10th at 10 am at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish, 343 Tarkiln Hill Road, New Bedford. All are invited to meet directly at church. Her visitation will be held on Friday, September 9th from 4-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. Please omit flowers. Donations may be made in her memory to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at https://www.macular.org/want-to-help/opening-letter
