Obituary of Gay Moore Fantozzi

Gay Moore Fantozzi was born in Martha’s Vineyard on September 21, 1951, to William and Virginia Moore. She was a graduate of Georgetown University where she studied Russian and Spanish, met many friends, and her future husband Daniel Ted Fantozzi. They married on April 20^th, 1976 at the Georgetown chapel. After college Gay used her linguistic skills to lead tours to the former Soviet Union. In later years, she loved to share stories of getting the unsuspecting tourists out of trouble with the Soviets. Once she had children, Gay worked at home as a mother to her four children Daniel, Victoria, Lydia, and Nathan. She helped create a tight-knit family and supported everyone in the many transitions they made as the family lived in Japan, Croatia, and Holland for Dan’s career as a foreign service officer. She was a devoted mother who created a home that was welcoming to all, a kind listening ear and easy invitations to the rowdy and delicious dinner table led many friends referred to her as “Momma Fantozzi.” 

Gay loved to travel and enjoyed immersing herself in the culture and language of each new home country. In addition to the Russian and Spanish she studied at Georgetown, Gay also became fluent in Japanese and Croatian. Once the kids grew up, she used these language skills in a new role, school secretary for Shrevewood Elementary school. Her gregarious and warm nature made all families welcome, but her ability to speak many languages was a particular asset to the many multilingual families in the community. She was an active volunteer for Food for Others food bank and the coordinator of the St. James’ monthly food distribution. Again, she drew on her multilingual skills to help many people services they needed. However, her favorite volunteer position was to help the guests “shop” the food pantry because she loved using her culinary knowledge to help people figure out how to use unfamiliar ingredients in new recipes. Gay continued to run the monthly food distribution even through chemotherapy, and COVID, letting it go only when she could be sure that it was in good hands and she had done all she could.

She is survived by her brother Brian Moore, her four children, and four grandchildren who love her very much. She will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Food for Others food bank

https://www.foodforothers.org/give-money/

Food for Others, 2938 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031