Mrs. Maria Frappa (nee Manduca), age 81 years, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Monday, February 1, 2016 in Bethammi Nursing Home.
Maria was born on July 27, 1934 in Sambiase, Italy. She arrived in Port Arthur in 1956 and two months later, married Giovanni Frappa.
Maria and Giovanni shared 52 years of marriage together, before his death in 2009. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother to her three children, grandchildren and their families.
Maria was a strong woman, who worked hard and persevered towards her goals to meet her family's needs. She was a great seamstress, always sewing wonderful outfits for her children, friends and family.
She worked on and off throughout the years at TK's Apparel and Woods Bags and Canvas. Maria enjoyed using her extra income to contribute to the family trips to Italy. Maria loved to cook, bake bread and spend time with all of her family and friends. You were never able to stop in for a visit without being fed either her delicious pastina or her famous meatballs . If that was too much, you at least had to have a cup of coffee and some Nona cookies.
This of course, was always coupled with a little bit of her unexpected humour. Maria's greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren, whom she loved greatly. Unfortunately, in her final years of life, Maria began her journey through Alzheimer's. Because of this, although family was present, she was not able to fully enjoy life with her great-grandchildren.
Maria was a strong, kind woman and was always laughing. She was very dedicated to her husband, children and grandchildren. We are going to miss your laughter Ma.
Maria is survived by her children Frances (Pasquale) Iorianni, Tonia Frappa and Johnny (Joanne) Frappa as well as her grandchildren Carmelo (Marlies) Iorianni, Daniela (Kurt) Murphy, Michael (Marley) Iorianni, Maria (Tyler), Laura and Lisa (Brandy) Tassone, Michelle (Chris) and Jessica Frappa and by her great-grandchildren Kaelyn and Luca Iorianni and Isabella and Savannah Murphy. Maria is also survived by her sisters in Italy, Egidia, Elena (Giuseppe), brothers Franco (Raffaela), Vincenzo (Angela) and sister-in-law Rosa Biasiol. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.
She was predeceased by her parents, Maria and Salvatore Manduca; her in-laws Angelina and Francesco Frappa; brother Salvatore and her brother-in-laws Renato Maccacaro, Leonello Biasiol, Pasquale Frappa and sister-in-law Grazia (Francesco) Longo.
The family would like to thank St. Joseph's Heritage, especially all of the nurses and staff on the third floor of Bethammi for all of their compassion and care that was given to our mother during the last 6 years.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 5, 2016 leaving the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma at 9:20AM to St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church for the Funeral Mass at 10:00AM, celebrated by Father Luigi Filippini. A private family interment will follow in St. Andrew's Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening from 5:00 until 8:00PM in the Everest Chapel with Vigil Prayers offered at 7:00PM.
Should friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations made in memory of Maria to the Alzheimer Society or St. Joseph's Heritage would be gratefully appreciated.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
