Jane Alice Prete

NORTH BRANFORD & WEST HAVEN ~ Jane DeGoursey Prete, of West Haven, formerly of North Branford, beloved wife of Ralph Prete, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, died Monday April 7, 2014 following a long illness, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in New Haven, April 2, 1931, a daughter of the late Joseph and Alice Blake DeGoursey.  Jane was a fine wife and loving mother and grandmother.  Although she possessed many personal talents, she devoted her life to her husband of 60 years and to making certain that her five children, and later, thirteen grandchildren would grow to be fine ladies and gentlemen.  She truly made her own life an example for her children and grandchildren.  Until stricken with Alzheimer’s Disease 9 years ago,  Jane had a full life.  She particularly enjoyed being with her family and traveling overseas on several occasions with her husband.   She particularly enjoyed frequent shopping trips by automobile to places like Washington D.C., Williamsburg VA., and Orlando FL.; filling the back seat of the car with new clothes.  Besides her husband Ralph, Jane is survived by four sons, Dr. Mark Prete, of Simsbury, John (Donna) Prete, of Clinton, Thomas (Rose) Prete of North Branford, and Christopher (April) Prete, of Northford; a daughter, Patricia (Michael) Urbinati, of North Branford; 13 cherished grandchildren, Eric, Michael, and Elyse Urbinati; Kathryn, Rebecca, and Meredith Prete; John and Tiffany Prete; Thomas, Alexander and Justin Prete; and Max and Blake Prete.  She also leaves three sisters, Ellen DePalma, Mary (John) Affinito, and Frances DeGoursey.  Jane was predeceased by a brother, Joseph DeGoursey, and a sister, Alice Gleason.  The funeral will be from the Keenan Funeral Home, 330 Notch Hill Road, (Rte. 22 So. at Rte. 80), North Branford, Thursday morning at 9:15.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Augustine Church, North Branford, at 10:00.  Interment will be in Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven.  Family and friends may call at the funeral home (TODAY), Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in her name to the Mary Wade Home, 118 Clinton Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511, which provided such marvelous care throughout the past two years.  Condolences may be expressed online at www.keenanfuneralhome.com

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