Frances Diomede, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on October 23, 2011, at Wingate at Dutchess, surrounded by her family.
Born on December 13, 1911 in Alberobello, Bari, Italy, Frances was just seven weeks short of her 100th birthday when she passed away. She came to the United States through Ellis Island in 1921 with her mother and sister, settling in the Bronx, NY. On September 1, 1934, she married the love of her life, Pasquale Diomede, who predeceased her in 1992. Frances lived in Brooklyn before moving to Horseheads, New York. When her husband retired, the two moved to California where they relished the warm weather. After her husband passed away, Frances moved to Hopewell Junction to live with her daughter.
Frances was truly family-oriented. She was so in love with her husband of 58 years, and treasured her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Frances worked as a seamstress in Manhattan for many years and had a penchant for the fine detail of clothing. In California, she enjoyed doing macramé, crocheting, and crafts. She was extremely generous and caring, and would give you the shirt off her back. Frances cooked the most delicious Italian meals, making her own pasta and ravioli, and would prepare enough food to feed anyone and everyone who would happen to drop by. She enjoyed gardening and always had a cut rose from her garden on the kitchen counter.
Frances was a very spiritual and devout person and always prayed for her family. She loved and prayed to the Lord with all her heart and called upon him until the very end of her life.
Frances is survived by her two children, Mary Abruzzo of Hopewell Junction and Joseph Diomede of Arlington, Texas; her grandson, Patrick Diomede and his wife, Joy, of Argyle, Texas, and their five children, Patrick, Kristen, Tanner, Logan, and Madelyn; her granddaughter, Judith Abruzzo-Wasilewski and her husband, Thomas, of Verbank, and his son Tom of Port St. Lucie, Florida; and her grandson, Joseph Diomede and his wife, Heather, of Aledo, Texas, and their three children, Madison, Jordan and Sydney. Frances was devastated by the loss of her first grandchild in 2006, her granddaughter, Patrice Abruzzo, of Dover Plains. Frances is also survived by Patrice's husband, Sean Connelly, Frances' sister, Anne Ball, of Danville, California, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Lucy, and her brother, Nicholas.
Frances was a communicant of St. Columba Church in Hopewell Junction for many years.
The family would like to thank all of the staff at Wingate at Dutchess, especially the Boscobel staff, who made Frances' last days comfortable. The family would especially like to thank Nurse Martha Lewis, who was there with Frances and her family from the very beginning of her stay at Wingate, to the end.
There will be no calling hours, and funeral arrangements will be at the convenience of the family. Frances will be buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Hollywood Hills, California, with her beloved husband.
Memorial donations in Frances' name may be made to the Dyson Center for Cancer Care at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, 45 Reade Place, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, or to St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, P.O. Box 428, Hopewell Junction, New York 12533.
Arrangements are under the direction of McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, New York. For memorial donations or online condolences, please visit www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.