As the snow fell from the heavens, Frances Ardizzone, 92, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2020. She was born in Biancavilla, Sicilia, Italia, to Antonio and Anna (Brancato) Amore. In January 1954, her husband Alfio returned to Lawrence, MA, the city of his birth. On December 22, of the same year she and their two children arrived in New York Harbor with the snow falling and were able to celebrate their first Christmas in the United States as a reunited family.
Frances was educated in Italy and attended an upper level sewing school and she became a meticulous seamstress. Her talents included making men’s suits, children’s clothing, and closets and closets full of drapes and bedspreads.
Upon arriving in Lawrence, she was instantly hired by clothing manufacturing companies as a stitcher and she was a member of Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers of America, retiring from Southwick. She was also a member of St. Rita’s Sodality at Corpus Christ Parish at Holy Rosary Church. Frances enjoyed crocheting and knitting, making many colorful afghans as well as countless booties and hats. Holidays brought forth her famous manicotti and dessert would not be complete without her delicious brownies and the lightest angeletti cookies in the world!
Frances and Alfio started to travel in 1969 despite a “fear of flying.” Their first adventure was to Kentucky where their son was stationed in the Army Reserves. After that there was no stopping them. For the next thirty years they ventured back to Sicily many times along with being snow birds, a trip to California and a 60th wedding anniversary trip to Las Vegas.
Predeceased by her husband of 76 years who passed on October 7, 2020, and an infant daughter, Frances leaves behind her daughter, Domenica (Mimi) and her husband Dr. Carl J. Benanti of Methuen; and her son, Vincent and his wife Annette (Messina) Ardizzone of North Andover. Grandchildren include Mark Benanti and his wife Donna; Chris Benanti and his wife Antonella (Toni) all of Methuen; Joy Ardizzone and Hope Ardizzone of New York; great-granddaughter, Alexa (Benanti) Cutsavage and husband John; along with a great-great-granddaughter, Sophie Grace of New Jersey; as well as a great-grandson, Camren J. Benanti of Methuen. She also leaves her brother, Michaele and his wife Maria of Biancavilla, Sicily, as well as many nephews and nieces.
Many thanks to her Hospice nurse Meridith McNielly, the staff of the Prescott House, C-wing, and her aide for bringing her outside for fresh air.
Donations in memory of Frances may be made to or Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence, MA 01843
All services were private under the direction of the Cataudella Funeral Home.