Leta (Zaffuto) Morreale

Leta Morreale, 87

With her family at her side, Leta Morreale passed from this life on September 14, 2017 at the age of 87.

She was born Letizia Zaffuto to Alfonso and Jovanna (Baldo) Zaffuto on November 30, 1929 in Palermo, Sicily.  In 1947 she met Paul Morreale and in July of 1953 they were married.  The following year Leta immigrated to the United States, settling for a short time in Hillsdale, where Paul was attending Hillsdale College.  They made a home in Detroit until 1975 when they moved to Sterling Heights.  In 1988 Leta moved north to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren.  She moved first to St. Ignace and then in 1996 she moved to Petoskey where she remained. 

Leta's family will forever remember a mother and grandmother who was loving, sweet and kind.  In all things Leta placed the needs of her family before her own, her constant encouragement, guidance and force of character have been the source of her family's strength; she was so deeply loved and will be truly missed. 

Leta's core values were shaped by her early years in Sicily, family and church were always at the forefront of her upbringing.  She was a faithful member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where her Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, September 19th at 10:30 a.m., Fr. Dennis Stilwell will act as celebrant.  Leta's family will receive friends in the church gathering space prior to mass from 9:30-10:30 a.m.  Her interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton-Charter Township next to her former husband Paul.Leta's family include her daughters Grace (Carl) Morreale Hawkins of Petoskey, Jeanne Morreale of Warren and her son Michael (Melissa) Morreale of Bradenton, Florida; her surviving grandchildren include Marie, Laura, Philip, Mikey and Isabella.  She is also survived by her sisters Elena Stuppia of Palermo, Sicily and Sister Gina Zaffuto of Rome.  She was preceded in death by her former husband Paul.

Those wishing to remember Leta with a charitable contribution are asked to consider Brother Dan's Food Pantry. 

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