Angeline Ongaro

SALINE, MI – Angeline Ongaro, 92, formerly of Stambaugh, died peacefully on August 4, 2009 at St. Joseph Hospital in Saline, Michigan. She was born August 20, 1916 in Gaastra, Michigan, daughter of the late James and Maria Rose (Chiarantano) Perlongo. She attended Palatka School in Gaastra and graduated from Stambaugh High School in 1934. She worked in her father’s grocery store – Perlongo Grocery Store – during high school and managed the store until she married Bert Ongaro on August 27, 1938. The couple made their home in Stambaugh. During the early years of her marriage she worked for Scotts Style Shop, Selin’s Furniture Store, and Dabeck’s Catering. She also worked as a secretarial assistant with the Civil Defense program, later being appointed as an interim director, and throughout her marriage worked for the city and school election boards. In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s she worked as an Iron County Park Ranger. She was a dedicated mother, and also volunteered as a treasurer for the Blessed Sacrament Church Guild, chairman at Nelson Field’s food stand, taught religion to First Holy Communicants at Blessed Sacrament Church, actively advocated for the construction of the Stambaugh Elementary School, formed a bunco club and an extension club, and organized high school class reunions throughout the years. She was a former member of the Blessed Sacrament Church until its closing in 1983, at which time she joined St. Agnes Church and continued membership in the Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella, and the Rosary Sodality organizations. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed traveling to Italy, Spain, Mexico, the Bahamas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Niagara Falls. She relocated to Ann Arbor after spending 78 years of her life in Stambaugh. In Ann Arbor she was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. At the age of 80 she quickly adapted to her first computer. She highly valued many long-time friendships and was consistent in communicating with family and friends – first as a letterwriter and later by telephone and Internet. Her greatest joy came from being in the presence of her family and extended family. She enjoyed a good joke and laughing was her second nature. She credited her longevity to God, laughing a lot, a supportive family, having friends from diverse and multi-generational backgrounds, practicing preventative health care, and more laughing. She appreciated the beauty of nature, often taking photos of flower and sunsets, and her wonderfully creative mind could envision amusing images in the formation of clouds. Music filled her world and always lifted her high spirits higher. Brothers Joe, Jim, Fred, Reno and Louie Perlongo and beloved lifelong friend Marie Pedo preceded her in death. She leaves her son Robert Ongaro, daughter Linda Janicki, their spouses Sharon and Michael, four grandchildren Roberto and Anthony Ongaro, Carolyn Herrmann and Nathan Voght, four great-grandchildren and seven nieces and nephews (Daniel and Bruce Perlongo, Anita Westphal, Diane Shalda, Patti Smeester, Alfred Perlongo and Jerry Ongaro), 17 great-nieces and nephews, and 16 great-great nieces and nephews, treasured cousin Rose Perlongo, dear cousin Mary Johns, and cherished lifelong friend Clarice Cocco, each one having held a dear place in her heart. Visitation will be held Friday, August 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Iron River with Rev. Norman Clisch, Pastor offering the mass of Christian Burial. The ladies of the Rosary Sodality will form an honor guard at the funeral. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery following the service. There will be a memorial service held at Evangelical Home, Saline, Michigan on August 25 at 3:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Ann Arbor Meals On Wheels or Area Agency on Aging 1-B in Ann Arbor, Michigan.