We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter
your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you
can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Frances T. Feroce
August 4, 1926 ~ December 6, 2020 (age 94) 94 Years Old
Frances T. (Assenza) Feroce, of Windham, NH, who lived her life with great richness, optimism, faith, enthusiasm, and good humor, passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2020, due to Covid complications, at the age of 94.
Although a devastating loss, Frances’ life should, on reflection, be celebrated as a wonderfully rich, extremely well-lived one of relentless optimism, brushing aside worry and sadness, exhibiting great good cheer, humor even in the most dire conditions, consistently high energy (even at 94), and kind and generous words for all she met, especially for her many loving friends everywhere, and a strong unselfish desire to improve the life of everyone around her – her many relatives and friends made over years of giving and service to others.
Frances was born in Lawrence, MA, on August 4, 1926. She attended Lawrence High School, working locally before joining the IRS in Andover and becoming a supervisor, widely admired and respected among her peers for her ability and willingness to help and serve others. She would teach her coworkers card games (45s, and no, you cannot reneg the Jack), and would often bring in homemade Italian food from her kitchen, which of course assured their eternal friendship.
After retiring, Frances settled in Windham, NH, where she continued to serve others several times a year cooking Italian food and her world-famous cutlets, for the Windham Fire and Police Depts., whom she held in highest regard. She felt strongly that she should support those who protect and help others, she prayed for them daily, and her hard work over the past twenty-five years for them was an example to us all.
Frances greatly enjoyed simple nature, sitting on her deck or gazing out her windows to the beautiful trees and birds in her back yard. She fed birds every single day, and was so pleased to see them enjoy the food she supplied, while relaxing and listening to her favorite music – Al Martino, Jerry Vale, and Tony Bennett.
Frances was predeceased by her parents, James and Lena (Laudani) Assenza; her sisters, Connie (Bedard), Nellie (Nicolosi); brother, Thomas; husband, Albert; beloved daughter, Sheila (Wedge); many in-laws in the Feroce and Minicucci families; eternally loving grandson, Nick Feroce; and several nephews and nieces in the Feroce and Assenza families.
She is survived by her son, Domenic of Windham; loving grandson, Daniel Feroce of Newburyport; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Doherty of Newburyport; granddaughter, Laurie Wedge of Methuen and her partner Craig; great-grandchildren, Eduardo and Christina Wedge of Methuen; grandson, Jason Wedge of Salem, NH and wife Dawnne; great-grandchildren, Alex and Ashley Wedge of Methuen; granddaughter, Linda Wedge of Methuen; sister, Joyce Minicucci of Brentwood, NH; as well as nieces, Donna Cook of Methuen, Janice Heinz of CA, Stacey Mauer of CO, Nicolle Bedard of KS, Mary Sue Companion of Brentwood, NH; and several great-nieces and nephews and their families: Colleen Cook, Patty Cook Hebert, Shawn Cook, and Shannon Siviski from the Cook-Assenza families; as well as many extended relatives from the Minicucci and Feroce families.
Frances leaves many close friends in the area, many of whom grew up with her extended family, and who visited her often, all of whom continued to be amazed at the fact she had no grey hair at her age. More than anything, she will be remembered for her refusal to allow her family to be bothered by worry or doubt, always remaining so optimistic that any problem can be solved, injecting humor even in the most dire conditions, and that worry and fear are our greatest enemies, easily defeated with faith and optimism and humor. She simply wouldn’t allow negativity to upset the family – that is her greatest legacy. This optimism came in part from her strong Catholic faith – she prayed the rosary every day of her life.
She loved Perry Mason, strong coffee, great music, a good cannoli, The Godfather, cooking, making people laugh, Salisbury Beach, the Red Sox, JFK, Savastano’s Italian wedding soup, Stramondo’s meat pie, Al Martino, Holy Rosary Church, fried clams, Christmas, good political debate, the city of Lawrence, MA, and a good cigar. (Only kidding, she didn’t smoke.)
People of good cheer, all the lives she touched, wherever you are, raise a glass and toast to her memory, and remember her with a smile, not sadness, as she would have wanted.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen, MA, to celebrate her life and all that she taught us. A funeral Mass will be held at Holy Rosary Church in Lawrence on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 10:00 AM.
As of the latest update, we are able to offer visitation periods and funeral services in the funeral home or at a church. ·Please be mindful during visiting hours to keep your condolences brief so that others may offer theirs as well. ·Gathering in the lobby is not allowed so that we may adhere to health code mandates. ·Facemasks are required while inside the funeral home or church. ·Our staff is available for guidance.
Services
Visitation
Tuesday January 26, 2021 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Cataudella Funeral Home 126 Pleasant Valley Street Methuen, MA 01844
Service
Wednesday January 27, 2021 10:00 AM Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church 35 Essex Street Lawrence, MA 01841
Cemetery
Immaculate Conception Cemetery 29 Barker Street Lawrence, MA 01841