Fortunata “Frieda” Annunziata Margaret Ponesse Formato

November 16, 1922 ~ May 30, 2026

Fortunata “Frieda” Annunziata Margaret Ponesse Formato, a lifelong matriarch and the heart of her family, passed away peacefully at home on May 30, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, faith, and tradition.

Born at home in Newburgh, NY, on November 16, 1922, to Thomas L. Ponesse, Sr. and Annunziata “Nancy” (Alfano) Ponesse. Frieda was the second oldest of eight children. From a young age, she understood responsibility and sacrifice. She left Newburgh Free Academy during her junior year to help her mother care for her younger siblings, a decision she never once regretted. With pride and affection, she would always say that her youngest brother, Carl, was “her baby”.

On June 9, 1946, she married the love of her life, Anthony “Tony” Michael Formato, and together they began a love story that truly felt destined. While stationed in Panama during World War II, Tony saw a photograph of Frieda among his fellow soldier Joe Tallarico’s family pictures and boldly declared, “That is the woman I am going to marry.” He began writing to the “very sweet girl” in the photograph, and long before they stood at the altar, he had already told his mother he would marry her. When the war ended, Tony came home to Frieda—and he never left her side. Their marriage was filled with devotion, laughter, and unwavering partnership. Tony would move heaven and earth for her, and she for him.

Together they raised two children, James and Nancymarie, and their family of four was a tight-knit, loving unit. Frieda built her life around her family, her faith, and her home.

In her early years, she worked as a seamstress at the Romano Dress Factory, and for the rest of her life, if something needed hemming or mending, it was simply brought to Frieda. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Newburgh, where she poured her energy into her community. She served on the PTO and CYO and was one of the founding members of the fundraising committee that helped build the “new” St. Francis School (currently the San Miguel Academy). She loved to sing and proudly lent her voice to the church choir for several years.

But above all, Frieda’s true domain was her kitchen.

If you were looking for her, that is where you would find her—rolling dough, stirring sauce, or pulling something wonderful from the oven. Her homemade pizza, bread, pasta, spinach pies, stuffed mushrooms, sausage and peppers, meatballs, hot peppers, and her famous sauce were staples of family gatherings. Every December, she transformed her kitchen into a Christmas bakery, spending the entire month making cookies for everyone she loved. Delivering those tins was part of her joy. If you saw her making her coffee cake, it signaled a special occasion was happening. She rarely wrote a recipe down; instead, she would say, “Stand next to me if you want to learn.” And so, they did. Thankfully, her grandchildren learned most of her secrets.

When Tony passed away unexpectedly in 1994, Frieda’s world changed—but her strength did not. She moved in with her son, James (Jim), and her devoted daughter-in-law, Sharon, who loved and cared for her as her own. For more than 30 years, she was part of their daily lives, going wherever they went. Determined to remain independent, she surprised everyone by taking driving lessons around the age of 72—at the same time as her grandson Jimmy—and proudly earned her license. At 90 years old, she decided to learn to ride a bike. Frieda never believed in sitting still.

She believed deeply in her traditions and her faith. But above all else, she believed in family. “Family always comes first” was not just something she said—it was how she lived. She showed up, bundled in blankets at cold sporting events and dressed proudly for school concerts and musicals. Smiling at the Newburgh Italian Festival with a zeppole in hand (even if hers were better) and taking a picture with Timothy Cardinal Dolan. She was present for it all.

She beamed with pride when the South Junior now Middle School Athletic Field was dedicated in honor of her son, James. She cherished helping Nancymarie every August prepare her classroom in New Hampshire and looked forward to their daily phone calls. She loved playing the card game, “Help Your Neighbor” with Sharon and being playfully teased by her son-in-law, Bud.

Her grandchildren were among her greatest joys. She delighted in watching Michelle master her fish dishes, Danielle perfecting the stuffed mushrooms, Jonelle carrying on the coffee cake and peanut butter blossoms traditions, and Amy baking candy cane cookies. She shared a special bond with her grandson Jimmy, who spent nearly every day by her side and treated her to Broadway shows. She enjoyed having Eric nearby during his West Point years so she could cook for him and his fellow cadets. And every Christmas Eve, no matter who was gathered, Frieda would teach the tradition of the “malocchio” and happily prepared for the “Feast of the Seven Fish”.

She is survived by her cherished son James and devoted daughter-in-law Sharon of New Windsor, NY; her dearest daughter Nancymarie Rolfs of Nashua, NH; Her grandchildren, Michelle Marie Formato Delgado (Saul), Danielle Nicole Formato DeSarro (Bruce), James Anthony Formato (Patrick McDowell), Jonelle Nanette Formato Santo (Joe), Amy Marie Rolfs Corriveau (Kevin), and Eric Anthony Rolfs (Brianna); Her “Lucky 13” great-grandchildren, Maegan Marie Corriveau, Isabella Marie Delgado, Hailey Elizabeth Corriveau, Anthony Eric Rolfs, Anthony Michael Delgado, Joshua Paul Corriveau, Joseph Salvatore Santo IV, James Ralph Anthony Santo, Reagan Walter Rolfs, Arianna Catherine Rolfs, Colton James Rolfs, Spencer James DeSarro, and Trevor Nicholas DeSarro, each of whom brought immeasurable joy to her life. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Tony, her son-in-law Walter “Bud” Rolfs, her faithful canine companion Nino—who surely greeted her with a wagging tail. Her parents Thomas L. Ponesse, Sr. and Nancy Alfano Ponesse. Her siblings, Thomasina Tangredi (Frank), Louis Ponesse, Sr (Linda), Virginia Martini (Anthony), Genevieve Marotta (William), Thomas L. Ponesse, Jr (Rose), Robert Ponesse (Margaret), and Carl Ponesse (Joan). Her in-laws, Michael & Maria (Brevetti) Formato; John Formato (Susan), Joseph Formato (Celia), James Formato (Jean), Anna Piazza (Gus), and Carmela Frattolillo (Anthony). Nephews Thomas Ponesse and Joseph Marotta.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to her cousin, Thomasina MacFarland, whose loving care in recent months meant more than words can express and to her nephew, Steven Ponesse, whose daily visits she looked forward to. Sincerest appreciation to the Hospice Staff including Catherine, Amber, Sana, Jasmine, Kristine, and Yahaira for all the care they gave to Frieda.

Frieda’s life was not measured in years alone, but in meals shared, traditions preserved, laughter echoed through her kitchen, and the fierce, unwavering love she gave to her family. She was our center, our comfort, and our example. And she will forever remain the heart of our family. Now she is forever and “Always” dancing above with her Tony.

In lieu of flowers, kindly honor Frieda’s memory by donating in her name to the Deacon Jack Seymour Food Pantry in Newburgh, NY or to the Catholic War Veterans of America, Joseph R. Farina Newburgh-New Windsor Post 386.

Visitation will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, from 4-7 pm at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, NY.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 10 am, 145 Benkard Avenue, Newburgh, NY. Monsignor Peter Tran Van Phat will be officiating. It would have been Frieda's and Tony's 80th Wedding Anniversary.

Burial will directly follow at Calvary Cemetery.