Mary Fetta Obituary

Dear Mary Lucille,



It is with a deep sadness and a solemn sorrow for your beloved husband, your close relatives and your caring friends, as I write this brief note of love to you today. I also am filled with a sense of gratitude for having known your wonderful son, Henry, who has been a marvelous example of love to me. But most of all, I am so thrilled that you now may enter the greatest of all places, the ultimate destination for all of us, the peace and refuge that is Heaven.



I was very lucky to meet Henry in the Fall of 1977, although he didn't even know I knew him. He was a big senior, and I a mere freshman at the University of Notre Dame. At first, I think it was purely jealousy that made me notice him, as he marched next to all those cute girls in the piccolo section of the Band of the Fighting Irish. Yet, as I watched him more and more, I noticed that he maintained a special dignity about him. He had this exuberant and infectious laugh, and other band members always wanted to be around him. But he also had a softening smile, a peaceful closed-eyed glee, a quiet confidence, a poise, and an aura of Godly serenity. And I began to realize that here was a man to whom many others give great respect, and from whom I could be inspired.



And the love that we have for your son continues to grow today. As you know, he has a wonderful wife, along with their very kind children. Of course, he also is a huge part of our reunion of Howard Hall friends each summer, taking on many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, to make the whole weekend a great experience for all of us.



And for me, he has been a great help professionally. He comes each year to speak to my students at St. Edward High School about his career at Kraft, and to engage the students in some sort of marketing exercise, simulating a real-world business experience. My students just love him. This year, I even have a student enter my classroom each day, saying "Kraft guy," reminding me that he cannot wait until that Spring day when Henry will finally come to spend the day with my students at St. Ed's.



And now, the Lord has taken you, Mary Lucille, to be with Him. May you enjoy the moment of going through the Gates of Heaven, May you love singing with all the Angels, and may you, along with His Holy Mother, Notre Dame, gaze upon the Glory of Her most Precious Son, Jesus.



You see, I haven't ever had the pleasure to know you, Mary Lucille, yet through your son, Henry, we who have known him also know you...for, as Jesus says in Matthew's Gospel, "a tree is known by its fruit." May all of us continue to learn and be inspired by your example through Henry. God be with you for all eternity.



St. Mary, pray for us.



Love,

Kevin, Cindy, Caitlyn, and Joshua Dix