Fortunata Machi

Fortunata Antonina Orlando was born in the small Sicilian town of Galati Mamertino on August 16, 1926. Just over 30 years later she was established with her husband Carmelo Machi in Cleveland, OH where they raised their sons, Filippo and Alessandro. She was a skilled seamstress Halle Brothers and then Higbees. She was a skilled cook at home. By the 1980s they had moved to Canoga Park, CA and enjoyed the Mediterranean climate, cultivating citrus trees, grapes, and figs. They would pick 300 pounds of tomatoes every year and make dozens of bottles of tomato sauce to keep their many friends supplied with pasta sauce throughout the year. Carmelo passed away in 2009 after a long illness, and Fortunata remained in the family home with the loving care of Alessandro until her passing. She is survived by sons Alessandro of West Hills, CA and Filippo of Berkeley, CA, and a grandson, Alexander Fordyce of Lynnwood, WA.