Obituary of Teresa M. Frangione

The newspaper version of her obituary was planned as scant because if every word that could be said to commemorate her were in print, it would take up the entire section. Only this platform allowed the space necessary for such an amazing woman who experienced so much, and crossed paths with as well as influenced and was influenced by so many. Creating a tribute to match a woman as legendary as Teresa Frangione has proved to be a herculean task. She originally believed that only she was capable of it, and as a result has left dozens of handwritten pages for the purpose, which she began writing in 2004. Every page that was written was fueled by deep hurt and pain, so her version had good words for some and choice words for many. I have read them and in combination with my personal experiences and memories have prepared the story of her life to be something I think she would be proud of. Her legacy began as the second oldest child in her family, daughter of Stella Facciolo (nee Mazzitelli). . She watched her beloved mother experience eight additional pregnancies that resulted in five losses and three siblings, while managing the bookkeeping for the family business, and running the household without fail. From seven years old, Teresa worked alongside her at home and in the business. Her perseverance, resourcefulness, resilience, and strength throughout the great depression left Teresa with both inspiration and heartache. Unfortunately, her mother tragically passed in 1952, one week before Teresa was due to give birth to her first child. Having the opportunity to mother with her mother’s guidance robbed from her at the eleventh hour was her first cannonball to the heart. Her Uncle, Alessandro Mazzitelli was also significant to her and her life, producing many stories of love and care, as well as business acumen, and she took care of him during his passing. Unfortunately, she felt tortured, haunted, and cursed by her father, and the anguish she felt in her heart never healed, especially after his remarriage. Additionally, she was predeceased by all of her siblings, Stella (1989), Rose (19, Raymond (2004), Frank (2002), and was a dutiful sister and aunt, despite her feeling betrayed, hurt, and deceived by each of her siblings either directly or indirectly through their children. She was able to have the honor of standing as a Godmother 11 times throughout her life and was able to enjoy reconnecting with one, Rennie Spanno, in her last years. Teresa attended Clifton High School (Class of ’42), then continued on to the Pierce Business School in Spring Garden, as well as attending the Barbazon finishing school, Institute of Banking, and computer classes later in life. Her teen and early adult years produced some of my favorite stories: meeting her boyfriends, going to the dances, going to 69th street to pick up hot carriers for the day, and starting the beginning of her working career outside of the business. Her working career includes a plethora of job titles and businesses including banking, retail, and bookkeeping. From the 1940’s until 2013 her places of employment included Booth Potter and Seal of Philadelphia, Met Life, Clifton National, Famous Maid, Lane Hartley, the Maternity Shop, Bailey, Banks, and Biddle (where she was a jewelry buyer and part of the Fine Jewelers Guild), Sears, Gimbles, Lucilles, La Mars, Langhorn Restaurant, Broad Meadows Prison, Pennsylvania Railroad, Gillespies (Rivetting during WWII), the Franklin Mint, the Gift Shop of Riddle Hospital, Fidelity Bank, and Victoria Secret. When she was asked what kind of work she did, her answer was always “I was everything but a street walker.” To see pictures of her prime, she was breathtakingly gorgeous and often called sexy; she was told her looks compared to Barbara Stanwick. At 26 years old, she married Daniel Frangione on May 26, 1951, after a nine year courtship that included his service in both the Navy and the Army during WWII. In 1952, she gave birth to her first child and son Daniel Frangione. In 1953, her second son Thomas Frangione was born. And in 1955, her daughter Phyllis Frangione was born on the anniversary of the day that her heart first broke when she lost her mother. Unfortunately, she became a widow in 1958, when Daniel died as a result of doctor’s mistake that led to a staph infection after a tragic car accident. To see the cards, notes, and pictures she carried for all these years from the time she was married, she lost all the love in the world when she was forced to say goodbye to him. When she took her vows until death do they part, she took them as until death do they meet again. She was in love with her husband and her heart ached for him until the day she died. In spite of all that she lost, how broken her heart was, and how the odds were stacked against her with three children under six years old, she pushed through, devoted herself to raising her children, gave them everything, and never remarried. Teresa proved everyone wrong who told her that she couldn’t do it alone, only beholden to God, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Uncle Sam. In 1975, Teresa experienced a loss that she never truly recovered from, no matter how much love, support, or care anyone tried to give her. Her son Thomas was also killed in a car accident, one week before his 22nd birthday. Her heart broke a little more each day trying to keep his spirit alive and she welcomed her own passing with open arms at the thought of finally being able to see him. Her strength, willpower, and determination still did not falter, and after this dark time, she built a second half of her life rich with experience but not free from the pain. Beginning in 1977, she emotionally adopted a young man, who she worked with and became a family friend to everyone she met through him. This ended up being what seemed to be 100 people. Affectionately she was called Aunt Teresa to every younger generation, and was able to enjoy a 40 year long friendship that included soccer games, dance recitals, communions, birthdays, weddings, showers, confirmations, and holiday dinners, and ultimately a lot of good laughs and memories. Additionally, she was Aunt Teresa to many others and was able to enjoy the guidance of her nephew-in-law Joseph Francione, and the company of his wife Margaret. She first became a grandmother to Nichole in 1979, through her surviving son Daniel, and then Thomas and Michael in 1982 and 1983 respectively. The 1980’s began her journey in this new role, and in 1990 and 1992, she became a grandmother again through her daughter Phyllis to Alessandra DeNofio and Robert DeNofio. To be one of her grandchildren was a complex blessing because of her pain and heartache that felt nearly impossible to understand. She was generous, supportive, and as protective as a lion defending her cubs, but for many reasons both real and imagined, her relationships were not universal and love became something that was earned and not unconditionally given. Growing up with her I thought that she was the most intriguing person in the world; powerful, convoluted, stubborn, beautiful, ladylike and intense (a fighter long after the bell rang). Her hobbies and interests included sports, cooking, travelling, going to the theater and supporting her grandkids’ events and life milestones, leaving a lifetime of love and memories. She broke the mold, and thank God for it, because the world couldn’t handle two. In 2014, she devoted her heart to her ninth great-grandchild, Marcellus Simpson (Alessandra DeNofio). Through all my struggles and growing pains as a new mom, she was there every step of the way, but made sure that she constructed the ultimate conditioning treatment and training regimen. She never let me forget my faults or shortcomings, in order to make sure that she would see me be the best mother that I could be. In the final years of her life, her emotional pain never subsided and she became reclusive and felt gracious and indebted to the employees of Wawa, Elwyn Pharmacy, and the staff of each of her doctor’s offices for giving her a glamorous life. From all that she taught me, I learned by observation the importance and truth in two adages: never mix business and family, and money is the root of all evil. The final year of her life she battled overall declining physical health, and left me with all her pain, stories, and feelings where I saw not only a softer side of her, but the reasons why she is frequently misunderstood. She was a magical inspiration and her life is always to be celebrated. Funeral Mass: Tuesday, February 11th at 11:00AM at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo, 3422 Dennison Ave, Drexel Hill, PA 19026 Entombment: Holy Cross Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Marcellus’s College Fund, Bryn Mawr Trust, 31 Baltimore Pike, Glen Mills, PA 19342