Mary Alice Fontaine

Mary Fontaine (Merth), 86, left us to be in heaven on April 18, 2024. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Herbert Merth and Genevieve Merth (Plante); brother Richard “Dick” Merth; son, Donald Fontaine and daughter-in-law, Dawn Fontaine (Tutt). Mary is survived by her husband of 67 years George Fontaine; daughters, Julie Fontaine (Jim Kreitz) and Kathy Fontaine (Andrew Murray); grandchildren, Tony Fontaine (Leah), Niki Grieman (Chris), Kim Fontaine, Jeff Humble (Marie), Ashley Prayfrock (Brandon Walkush), Matti Prayfrock (Luke Schewe); great-grandchildren, Cole Berning, Autumn Humble, Lily Humble, John Humble, Isaac Fontaine, Miriam Fontaine, Ezra Fontaine,  Naomi Fontaine, Wyatt Mitchell; sister in law, Aurore Noonan; nieces, nephews, other extended family, and many friends. 

Mary was born and raised in St. Paul, MN, graduated from Monroe High School and met the love of her life, George, at St. Louis Church when they were in grade school together. They married on June 1, 1957, and raised their family on the East side of St. Paul before moving to Oakdale.  

Growing up she spent time at the cabin fishing with her dad, playing 500 cards with her many cousins, and dancing. She loved to walk, and later learned to golf, which brought her much joy. She and George were long term members of Presentation Catholic Church, the St. Paul Lions, and the Old West Society where she and George participated in many local town parades - her character was the shotgun toting “Mary Canary”.  Oh, yes, she was sassy!  She was simply full of life and beloved by many who knew her.

The home and family she made with George was truly the center of her world.  Don, Julie, and Kathy grew up in a loving home.  She was known for keeping a meticulously tidy yard.   And neighbors in the wider cul-de-sac family were very special to Mary.

To know Mary was to love her.  Mary is remembered as one who helped create the wonderful family culture at Deluxe that made it, in those days, such a wonderful place to work. Mary helped with countless company events and activities. Many, many co-workers remember her as a loyal and treasured friend.  Some describe her as, “The mother I wish I’d had”, or simply, “ma”.

Until very recent years, her long participation in the Tuesday Gem Lake Deluxe 9 Hole Golf League kept many of these relationships alive.  Mary was known for her competitive nature - there is no doubt that she wanted to play her best every Tuesday - but when the group gathered at the 10^th hole, everyone knew that this group was a “family”.

 The family extends their gratitude to Oak Meadow’s Memory Care, HealthPartners Hospice and the many staff that cared for her.   

She will be dearly missed by all, and we celebrate her life.