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Francine Avila Obituary

Francine (Pilato) Avila Loving wife, mother, and grandmother TEWKSBURY Francine (Pilato) Avila, 64, of Tewksbury, died after a courageous battle with cancer, on Thursday, June 26, 2008, at Lowell General Hospital. She was the wife of Richard Avila, with whom she celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary last January. Born January 21, 1944, in Lowell, she was a daughter of Rose (Lambert) Pilato and the late George Pilato. She attended the local schools, and graduated from Lowell High School. Mrs. Avila enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and gardening. She also enjoyed the company of her family, especially shopping with her sisters, and spending time with her dog "Bogie". A resident of Tewksbury for over 30 years, she was a communicant of St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Andover. Besides her husband, Richard, she is survived by a son, Kevin J. Avila Sr., and his girlfriend, Mary Farrah, of Tewksbury; a daughter, Gina M. Avila, and her boyfriend, Lane Holder, of Hawaii; four sisters, Georgine Walsh and her husband, John, of Pelham, Diane McCarthy and her husband, William, of Lowell, Joanne Souza of Lowell, Jacqueline Dolan and her husband, Brian, of Lowell; a brother, George Pilato and his wife, Lisa, of Lowell; a grandson, Kevin J. Avila Jr. of Dracut; a sister-in-law, Gloria Boyle and her husband, William, of Avon, a brother-in-law, Gerald Avila of Lowell; former brother-in-law, Kevin Souza of Chelmsford; and several nieces, nephews, and friends. She was also the sister of the late Joseph Pilato, and daughter-in-law of the late Fred and Ethel Avila. AVILA YOU ARE INVITED TO HER CALLING HOURS FROM 4 UNTIL 6 P.M. ON SUNDAY. On MONDAY, HER FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9:30 A.M. AT THE McDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. HER FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. ROBERT BELLARMINE CHURCH IN ANDOVER AT 10:30 A.M. BURIAL IN ST. MARY'S CEMETERY. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
Published by Lowell Sun on Jun. 27, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Francine Avila

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28 Entries

Lisa McCarthy-MacRae

July 13, 2008

To the Avila and Pilato Families and to Diane, Bill, Amy and Nicole,

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved Francine. I know how much you are missing her but memories of the happy times you shared will help to see you through the coming days. She is at peace and always near the ones she loved. Wishing I could be there to give you all a hug. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.

jim & lorriane rogers

July 2, 2008

Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Michelle Valcourt

June 30, 2008

Joanne -
I am so sorry for the loss of your sister.. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

MaryAnn McNamara

June 29, 2008

Dear Gina, Your entry, thanking family & friends and sharing a bit about your Mom is, in itself a tribute to her. In the few minutes I interacted with her at the hospital that time, it was evident what a strong woman she was and how much her family meant to her. She did a remarkable job at raising an equally remarkable daughter. I'm so sorry for your loss and you & your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Angelo Iannuzzo

June 29, 2008

To the Pilato Family,
So sorry for the loss of such a lovely girl. I have so many memories of leaning on the fence on Kinsman St, chatting with Francine about everything under the sun. Her wonderful laugh will remain in my heart forever. God bless your wonderful family.

Fran, you were and will always be loved so very much

Barb DeSouza

June 29, 2008

Dear Gina & Fran's entire family,

My deepest condolences to you all on the loss of such a beautiful woman. She and Stitch were like second parents to me growing up. "Mom" was always there to lend an ear, give a hug, share a funny story, share a cup of coffee (of course!!) and just show you love. Her warmth and love brought such comfort to all who were blessed to have known her.

I have so many fond memories of special times with the family ... including the aunts, uncles, cousins, Rose ... and I will always cherish each of you. Your family is so strong and loving, and I pray you will lean on God and each other to bring you through this. My heart is with you.

Love you,
Barbara (Blacker) DeSouza
- or as Fran called me, "That Barb!"

Rest In Peace, Mom. xo

Heather Doglass & Peter Kelleher

June 29, 2008

Stitch & Gina
I am so sorry to hear about Fran,She was a great person.I will always remember her, I loved sitting and talking to her at the cookouts at Lisa & Georges house and as she would say Lisa & Spooks house . We all will miss her.

L Dube

June 28, 2008

Dear Georgine, Jack, Jackie, Jimmy, and all of Fran’s loving family,
I am so glad that I had the pleasure of meeting Fran through you, Georgine. I will always treasure my memories of learning to make crafts with Fran and you. Fran was so loving and such fun to be with, and she always had something nice to say about everyone. I called Fran not so long ago to ask a sewing question, and she was so helpful and kind to me. She talked about how much she loved her family and how she loved being a grandmother.
Georgine, you always mentioned how much you enjoyed shopping with Fran, your other sisters, and your mother, and I am glad you have those beautiful times to remember. I know how much your family will miss her.
I feel very fortunate to have met such a giving, beautiful woman as Fran through you, Georgine. She touched many people in so many ways, and we can all be thankful that we had the pleasure of knowing her and enjoying her good nature and kindness.
Dennis and I send our love and prayers to you and your family.

Love,
Lorraine and Dennis Dube (Pelham)

Cathy Manning

June 28, 2008

Gina and Family.
I am so sorry, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cathy Blacker

Gina Avila

June 28, 2008

Aloha to my wonderful family...I can't begin to tell all of you how much my mother shared with me so many stories and feelings from her heart about all of you while I took care of her. I believe in her mind she was reflecting on how special and honored she was to have such a blessed life, which was painted with memories all of you have given her...I wouldn't have been able to do this if it wasn't for all of your strong support and love. I too, feel very honored to have you as my family...I love all of you very much and you are all in my heart. I know she is looking down on all of us smiling and at peace. Love, Gina Beana, aka "the bean"

ann lamberti

June 28, 2008

dear stitch,gina ,butch and family, I am so sorry that fran is no longer with us. The days ahead will be tough , but just let your heart and head remember al the good times.
with love and deep sympathies, ann lamberti, wells maine.

The Mooney's

June 28, 2008

Gina,

Your mother was a beautiful, amazing, strong woman who will be missed. She loved you dearly and was very proud of you. She will be with you in your heart always.

Love,

LEO & JOANN CALHOUN

June 27, 2008

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

June 27, 2008

June 27, 2008

kevin Souza

June 27, 2008

To My Family:

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Auntie Fran. It really took me, and I think everyone by surprise at how quickly it came. She will be greatly missed and she leaves behind a family that loves her very much.
Love,
Kevin Patrick

Olivetti and Fonzarelli- Sisters forever

June 27, 2008

Fran's husband Stich for over 40 years

June 27, 2008

Son Butch and Mary

June 27, 2008

Her Gina Bina-best friend and daughter

June 27, 2008

My sister Fonzarelli- Love you Ollie

June 27, 2008

Fran and her Bogie

June 27, 2008

Gail Ward

June 27, 2008

To the Pilato Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Francine's passing. Georgine, I know how close you were to her and I always enjoyed hearing about the many adventures the two of you had. I pray that your many happy memories bring you some comfort during this time of grief.

Sincerely,
Gail Ward

Marleene Hoag

June 27, 2008

Gina,
I cannot begin to express how sorry I am for the loss you and your family are going through.
My thoughs and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time!

Love,
Marleene

Florence White

June 27, 2008

Dear Cousin Richard and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Francine's passing. I know what it is to lose a loved one ,please except our condolences. Our prayers are with you all.

Anne Marie Martin

June 27, 2008

To all of Francine's family,
Our hearts are full of sorrow to hear of her passing. What a wonderful person. She will be sadly missed. We will keep her in our hearts and our prayers.

Friends,
Anne Marie & Bob Martin

Nicole Santos (McCarthy)

June 27, 2008

To My Family:

I love all of you. We are all so lucky to have each other. I am very grateful for being so close to my family and always having them there to talk to or console me.

Stitch, Gina:
I love you very much. You guys made Aunt Fran's last year her happiest I think. You were always there for her at every minute that she needed.

She is looking down on us with Papa George and is looking over all of us. I am gonna miss her very much and it will take time to heal, but she is pain free now and in a better place. It happened very quickly and I just wish we all had more time, but it was her time.

I love all of you so very much

Tricia Lorrey Dowling

June 27, 2008

Jackie and George
I am shocked and sad to hear that Francine passed away. She was a great person and I know a wonderful sister to all of you. I have great memories of her with her crocheting and sewing. She could make anything out of a scrap of material.. I can still remember sitting in your mothers yard just talking with her when we were growing up. Always keep her smiling face and memories close to your heart.

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