Shirley J. Fontaine

Shirley J. Fontaine, age 85, of Escanaba passed away Friday, September 1, 2023 at Emmons Adult Foster Care Home in Bark River. Shirley was born December 28, 1937 in Hancock, MI and was the daughter of John and Gertrude (Burgbacher) Ronquist. She was raised in Hancock and graduated from Hancock High School in 1955. After graduation she moved to Detroit, MI and worked as a teletype operator for the airlines. Shirley moved back home to Hancock after six years in Detroit. She was out with her girlfriends one night at the Golden Pheasant and met the love of her life Ray, who was playing the trumpet in the band that night. Ray and Shirley were married six months later, on January 20, 1962, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lake Linden. The couple moved to Sandusky, MI and started their family immediately. Shirley was a stay at home mother and the family moved multiple times until finally settling in Escanaba. That is when Shirley went to work for Gartners, then she found her “Dream Job” working for Holiday Travel. She loved helping people find their desired vacation, plus all the opportunities she had to travel, which was all over the world, but the part she loved the most was working for Lois and DeeDee Anderson. Shirley retired from Holiday Travel after 25 years and talked about her work as a travel agent all the time.

The next job she loved was working next to her son at Breezy Point Bar for 15 years until her disease progressed beyond her capabilities. Shirley was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church and was an avid Green Bay Packer fan. She lived life for her family and was the most kind, loving and gentle soul that would do anything for anyone.

Shirley J. Fontaine is survived by daughter; Diane (Rory) Mattson of Escanaba; son, Jerry (Sonya) Fontaine of Escanaba; son in law; Jim DeGrand, Jr. of Green Bay, WI; grandchildren, Keith (Brigette) DeCremer , Nichole (Dave) Annear, Scott (Kelly) DeCremer, and Alyssa DeGrand; great-grandchildren, Mason and Louie DeCremer, Audrey (Aluc) Carl, Tailor and Xander Annear, Parker DeCremer,  Donavan and Donovan Fontaine, Julion, Jozlynn, Zariyah, Kinzley and Kameron Nowak, Wyatt DeGrand, Tahliah Plante, Raelynn DeGrand and Arianna DeGrand; sister-in-law, Brenda Fontaine of Arkansas; sister in law, Marsha Ronquist of Kalamazoo, MI; nieces and nephews, Lisa Hess, Michael Fontaine, Brandon Fontaine, Tony Ronquist, David Ronquist, and Melissa Brown; several cousins; Dean (Lisa) Belisle, Joe (Marsha) Belisle, Phil Belisle, and best friends Bonnie Ziese and Sandy Wandahsega.

In addition to her parents, John and Gertrude and husband of 57 years, Shirley was preceded in death by her brother Charles Ronquist; brother in law Willis Fontaine; her in laws Ray and Annabelle Fontaine and daughter Lori Fontaine.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m., Friday, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba with Father Fran DeGroot officiating. A luncheon will be served at the conclusion of the Mass in the St. Anne Catholic Church fellowship hall.

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