Mrs. Frances A. Olawski

Frances Agnes (Gangi) Olawski, 97, passed away peacefully at home and surrounded by love after a brief illness on Friday, February 16, 2018.

Born July 26, 1920 in Lawrence, MA, Frances was the beloved daughter of Sicilian immigrants, the late Joseph and Carmela (Torrisi) Gangi. She was predeceased by her husband, Benedict J. Olawski.

Frances attended Holy Rosary Grammar School and Beverly School for the Deaf, where upon completion she returned to Holy Rosary School and was awarded the Silver Medal. Frances also attended Essex County Agriculture School and in her later years, married and moved to Brooklyn, NY, where she was employed as an assistant supervisor with Chemical Bank (now JP Morgan Chase) until her retirement in 1983. Upon her retirement, she returned to her hometown roots in Lawrence.

Frances always strove to make the world a better place for all and her passion included being a strong voice and advocate of the deaf community at large. Frances’ dedication and hard work as the coordinator for Merrimack Valley Deaf Senior Center, which she helped establish, humbled her as the recipient of the Quota International of Greater Lawrence’s prestigious Speech and Hearing Quota Award given for her unselfish acts of kindness and generosity. Her goal was to empower people like her to try new things and be independent. Frances always maintained a positive attitude and tried to share that philosophy with everyone she encountered. It is one of the key attributes for which she will always be remembered. Frances’ other interests included playing cards, spending time at the beach, traveling, and most importantly enjoyed above all else, the time she spent with her family and friends.

Aunt Frances will be greatly missed by all and is survived by her nephew, Mark Gangi and his wife, Leni from Gilford, NH; her great-niece and nephew, Christina and Philip Gangi; along with several cousins, nephews, and nieces. Additionally, she was pre-deceased by her brothers, Philip V. Gangi and Charles J. Gangi.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours Wednesday, February 21, 2018 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen. A funeral mass will be held Thursday at 10:00 AM at Corpus Christi Parish at Holy Rosary Church, 35 Essex St., Lawrence. Burial will take place at St. Mary Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Lawrence.

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