Frances Paterno

Frances Paterno passed from this life on Saturday, January 12, 2013. She was born on April 11, 1921, in Des Moines, IA, to Vittoria and Antonio Paterno.

Frances lived in Crucoli, Italy, from the time she was nine months old until she was 34. She returned to America in 1955, bringing along her children and an extraordinary talent for cooking. Frances was the primary cook and caregiver to all the members of her family for decades.

She selflessly and tirelessly took exceptional care of her mother and little brother Joe. Frances was a self-taught genius in the kitchen. Whether she was cooking nightly suppers, Sunday pasta, or holiday feasts, her perfected culinary skills were unsurpassed, and her abilities were cherished and admired.

She was very proud to be an American and was a loyal Democrat. She valued education, modern ideals, democracy, and her Catholic faith. Frances was very social, and enjoyed parties and gatherings of all kinds. “Little Grandma,” as she was called by her grandchildren, was a one-of-a-kind individual, with a strong will and lively spirit. She will be profoundly missed.

Mourning her passing are her children, Lucretia Gilligan, Victoria (Danny) Watkins, and Tony (Teresa) Paterno; her grandchildren, Tony Paterno, Jr., Laura Paterno, Renee (Anthony) Bartolomeo, Danielle (Brad) Nall, and Victoria Wakins; her great-grandchildren, Sabrina Bartolomeo, Lady Brett Daugherty, Hot Rod Daugherty, and Rocco Daugherty; nieces; nephews; great-nieces and -nephews; great-great-nieces and nephews; cousins; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vittoria and Antonio Paterno, younger brothers, Sam and Joe Paterno; several cousins; and other relatives.

A funeral mass will be held 11 a.m., Friday, January 18, 2013, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th Street, with burial following at Glendale Cemetery. A visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Friday, at the church.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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