Madonna was not present at her grandmother's funeral

Madonna n'était pas présente aux funérailles de sa grand-mère.

Elsie Mae Fortin, grandmother of Madonna, laid to rest in Bay City
Published: Saturday, March 12, 2011, 12:21 PM
Updated: Saturday, March 12, 2011, 3:48 PM
By Andrew Dodson | Booth Mid-Michigan

BAY CITY — There is still a 100th birthday celebration planned for Elsie Mae Fortin, even after laying the 99-year-old Bay City woman to rest Saturday afternoon.
Fortin, known to the world as the maternal grandmother of pop singer Madonna, died Wednesday in her Bay City home. A funeral service, that saw about 150 people gather to celebrate Fortin's life, was Saturday morning at St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic church in Bay City.
Madonna was not present at the funeral.
The Rev. Craig Albrecht presided over the funeral service, leading prayers and telling stories of his time spent with Fortin. For Albrecht, the funeral had additional special meaning.
He also had a grandmother named Elsie Mae, but was unable to attend her funeral because he was serving in the U.S. Navy at the time of her death.
"I am honored to be able to serve at this funeral, for this Elsie Mae," said Albrecht.
Fortin was born June 19, 1911, narrowly missing her 100th birthday by about three months.
"When meeting with Sister Mary (Epple), yesterday, we decided that we will still have a 100th birthday celebration for (Fortin) this June," said Albrecht.
Grandchildren of Fortin served as pallbearers for the service, bringing their grandmother to the front of the church's alter while the choir and congregation sang "Amazing Grace." Silvio "Tony" Ciccone, Madonna's father, read scripture at the service.
Fortin was born to Marie Louise and Henry “Short” Fostin in Standish on June 19, 1911. On Nov. 23, 1929, Fortin married Willard Fortin, a railroad worker and lumberman. Together, they had eight children, including Madonna’s mother, whose name was Madonna Louise.
She is survived by 97 descendants, including 36 grandchildren.
The scripture that Ciccone read, from the Book of Revelations, was about the alpha and omega of life — the beginning and end. According to Albrecht, the alpha is not just the beginning; it is also the length of all things. And the omega is not the last moment; it is the goal intended to live forever.
"And Elsie lived that goal," said Albrecht. "God is the source and the goal for our existence.
"She has made an end new."
Fortin was blessed at the conclusion of the service, with Albrecht waving incense over her casket, as a symbol of the prayers toward her and her family rising to heaven.

Source: MLive.

The hearse carrying Elsie Mae Fortin, the maternal grandmother of Madonna, leaves St. Mary's of the Assumption Church in Bay City on Saturday.
Photo: Andrew Dodson | Booth Mid-Michigan.