Frances DE PIETRO

DE PIETRO, Frances Died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, November 16th, 2010. Francesca Sirianni was born August 19, 1913 in Soveria Manelli, Calabria, Italy. On May 12, 1926 Frances arrived in the United States, passing through Ellis Island with her mother, Santa and her three brothers Philip, Samuel and Joseph to join her father, Giosue. They settled in Rochester, New York where Frances graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School, majoring in business administration. In 1941 Frances and Philip visited Samuel in Burbank, fell in love with the Southern California climate and purchased and operated a neighborhood market in Glendale. In 1943, Frances met Frank De Pietro, and they married in 1945 and had two sons. Frances and Phil sold their market and Frances dedicated her time to her husband, their business and family.
Frank and Frances were proud to be Americans and also of their heritage, sponsoring countless Italian-American events and philanthropies, such as the realization of Villa Scalabrini Retirement Center. Frances was President of the Italian Woman's Club (Club Femminile Italiano), President of the Orphans of Italy, officer of the Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California and Columbus Explorers, member of the Patrons of Italian Culture and the Garibaldina Society, the Gioventu' Italiana, and the historic Italian Hall. She was president of Our Mother of Good Counsel School Mother's Club. For over twenty-five years Frances served as an election officer and has provided her home as the neighborhood polling place. Frances received numerous awards including the title of Cavaliere by the Italian government. Always interested in education, Frances established endowed scholarships at Mayfield Senior School, Immaculate Heart and Loyola High Schools, and Harvey Mudd College, where she also established a Fellowship Program in research. She remained active in her family business ventures while enjoying her garden, her cooking, her friends and her family. She had become a pillar as an honored, respected and gracious lady, a loving mother and grandmother who constantly devoted and committed herself to her community, her friends, her children and grandchildren. Frances is survived by her son Robert, son Dennis and his wife Susan, granddaughter Erin Dokter and her husband Jon, granddaughter Althea and grandson James and his wife Jennifer, brother Joseph Sirianni, cousins, numerous nieces and godchildren, and family in Italy and Melbourne, Australia. Funeral will be Saturday, November 20th, at 11 AM at Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 2060 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles 90027. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in her memory. Callanan & Woods Scovern Mortuary, 818-242-0258, is handling arrangements. Please sign guestbook at www.callanancares.com