Gussie Amadeo Fazzio, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 7, 2023,  in her residence at Villa Maria Retirement Center surrounded by her family.  She was born on Oct. 23, 1926, in Morgan City, La., to Tony and Josephine Cammarata Amadeo.

Gussie graduated from Morgan City High School in 1943. She was presented an engraved silver trophy for being the class valedictorian.

During World War II she was one of the many secretaries working for Chicago Bridge and Iron at a shipyard in Morgan City.  The company built Landing Ship Tanks (LST’s), military vessels that carried troops and supplies.  

After that job she attended Hotel Dieu School of Nursing in New Orleans.  She most enjoyed assisting doctors during surgery.  

She then met and married the love of her life, Tony Fazzio Jr. and moved to Lake Charles, his hometown.  Gussie loved people and easily made new friends.

Soon they wanted to start a family and were blessed with four children.  Gussie and Tony were devout Roman Catholics and wanted their children educated in Catholic schools.  Just as important, they shared their faith and strong work ethics with their children by their own example.  Gussie chose to be a stay-at-home mom.  She supported the children in all of their activities.  She was an excellent seamstress, always fashionably dressed, a good cook and definitely had a “green thumb.”  Her flower gardens and potted plants were admired by all.

After the children were grown, Gussie returned to nursing.  She was Dr. Reed Fontenot’s nurse at the Urology Clinic for 29 years.  She also worked part-time for Dr. Logan Perkins in Sulphur.

Gussie loved to dance.  She had insisted Tony learned to dance before she married him!  They had a great time as members of the Buccaneers of Lake Charles and the Amicus Club.

Gussie loved Mardi Gras.  She was a past member of the Krewe de la Famille and Krewe de la Noblesse.  She truly was a social butterfly!

Gussie really enjoyed traveling. She toured:  Europe several times, the Holy Land and all over the USA including Alaska and Hawaii.

Through the years, she has been a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, St. Henry and Our Lady of Good Counsel.  For over 35 years, Gussie was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Court 695 Lady of the Lake.  In 2009 she was selected Catholic Daughter of the year for her devoted service.  As a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church she was active in the service group and attended daily Mass.   She was an extraordinary Eucharistic Minister of Communion at St. Patrick Hospital and also a member of the Auxiliary.  Gussie was a lay member of the Sisters of Emmanuel and Sisters of the Eucharistic Covenant, as well as, a member of the Serra Club.

Gussie was the matriarch of three generations.  All of whom she was extremely proud of and deeply loved. Indeed she was a great presence in each of their lives.

Those left to celebrate her life, treasure the memories and miss her more each day are her children, Maria Fazzio Lupo (Lawrence), Anthony Fazzio (Carmel), Joselyn Fazzio Blanchard (Charles), and Gus Fazzio (Debbie); her grandchildren, Chris Lupo (Pam) of League City, Texas, Gina Lupo Murphy (Guy), Tony Fazzio, Chad Fazzio (Amanda), and Frances Fazzio, Jon Blanchard (Ashley) and Eric Blanchard, and Boogie Babineaux (Lindsay); great-grandchildren, Kai and Gage, Kati, Ali, and John, Lily, Kaylee, Layla and Fallon, and Ryan Claire; and a large extended family and dear friends. 

Pallbearers are her grandsons and honorary pallbearers are her great grandsons.

Gussie was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Tony Fazzio Jr.; her parents; a brother, Dennis Amadeo; sisters, Mary Sanzone and Frances Aloisio; and extended family and dear friends.

The family would like to thank Rev. John Poerio, Rev. Don Piraro and Rev. Albert Borel, the administration and staff of Villa Maria and residents for the many years of friendship, kindness and care given to Gussie. Additionally, we are so grateful for her personal caregivers and the attention, compassion and loving care she received.  Thank you:  Debbie Babineaux, Tina George, Katrina Chambers, Pat Broussard, and Deadra Weldon.  Also thanks to the nurses and staff of St. Joseph Hospice, especially Janice and Kim.  

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Father Paul Jussen will officiate. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a rosary being recited at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until leaving for the church at 9:30 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made for the education and training of future priests.  Contributions made out to:  Dioceses of Lake Charles, memo: seminary burse, and can be added to an existing burse, such as “Vocations for the Diocese of Lake Charles” or “Serra Club of Lake Charles.”  Mail to Rev. Monsignor Daniel Torres, V.G, Dioceses of Lake Charles, PO Box 3223, Lake Charles, LA 70602-3223.