Angela Marie Contratto

BESSEMER, Mich. - Angela Marie Contratto passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, Wis., from dementia-related complications.

The beloved and special daughter of Roy and Kathleen "Bella" Contratto was born on June 25, 1970, in Marquette. She grew up in the Bessemer area and was loved and cared for by her parents for all of her 51 years. She attended special education classes at Father Daniel Hall in Wakefield, as well as classes in Ironwood.

In 1992, she started working at Highline Corp in Hurley, Wisconsin. The jobs, training, staff and friends at Highline were a major joy in her life. Angela loved going to work at Highline, as well as the ride to work on the "Little Blue Bus" and the wonderful staff of both. The COVID shutdowns were traumatic for her; she missed her work and companions deeply.

Angela's life was family and friends. She loved her grandparents, especially Grandma Novascone, with whom she spent many sleepovers and took many trips to Dairy Queen over the years. They had a special connection and she missed her grandma greatly since her passing in 2009.

Angela loved going for car rides with her Dad or her "buddy" Aunt Ginny, always making the required stop at McDonald's for her vanilla malt. Her sleepovers at Ginny's house were some of her most fun and laughter-filled times.

She was a great help at home doing her chores and helping her Mom bake, especially her favorite chocolate cake. She loved to vacuum and wore out three cleaners.

Angela loved music and had a huge collection of CDs that she listened to, often while riding her three-wheel bike in the yard with her boom box in the basket. "Alabama Greatest Hits" was her favorite. She had an equally large collection of DVDs including "The Golden Girls," "The Dukes of Hazzard," and "80's WWF." Her favorite show was "The Muppets" - she had all the TV shows and movies on DVD and loved the Miss Piggy-Elton John duet.

Angela loved a good meal. She loved her grandma's and mother's cooking, especially if it was sloppy joes or polenta night. If you knew her well, invariably the conversation would turn to food and she'd ask her favorite question, "Whadaya having?" Friday nights were especially looked forward to as she would go out with Mom and Dad to have pizza or a fish fry. Her Uncle Tommy would often bring her special giant Hershey bars that made her eyes light up, and at Christmas she always looked under the tree for her giant tin of popcorn, a snack she always had on the weekends when she would play dominos with her family.

Angela participated in the Special Olympics and loved bocce ball and bowling. She'd often come home from her tournaments, waving a trophy that she had won that day and showing everyone what she had done. She especially loved the Special Olympics opening events, dinner and dance, and the GARC Christmas parties.

She loved football, watching games every weekend, and was a loyal Green Bay Packer backer.

Angela was a blessing - giving unconditional love, happiness and joy to all. When you were in her presence, she gave you the chance and freedom to be your best self. She was such a gift and we will miss her hugs and that wonderful smile so much!

Angela is survived by her parents, Roy and Kathleen Contratto; brother, Michael (Tanja); and sister, Gina (Tony); nieces, Sophia and Liza; aunts, Ginny and Carol Novascone; uncles, Thomas Novascone and John Contratto; numerous cousins; and many special family friends.

She was preceded in death by grandparents, Emil and Katherine Novascone, and Paul and Marguerite Contratto; uncles, James Contratto and Dennis Novascone; and aunts, Carol and Joan Contratto.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Angela's life and a Mass will be held later in the spring-summer.

"Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories."