Francesca Guerra

Francesca "Fran" Cristina Guerra, 95, died peacefully on April 30, 2020 at Beaumont Nursing Home in Westboro, MA, from complications of the coronavirus, while holding the hands of her loving nurses. She was born in Ludlow, MA, on December 5, 1924, to Annetta and Felice Cristina. She was predeceased by her brother Henry and leaves her loving sister Louise Kertesz of Michigan. Fran was married to John Guerra, the love of her life, for 64 years until his death in 2006. She leaves five children and their spouses: Marcia Chwalek (Ed) of Hopkinton, David Guerra (Margo) of Putnam, CT, Grace McFarland (Scott) of Pleasant Valley, NY, John Guerra (Suzanne) of Concord, MA, and Cristina Hepburn (Bram) of Eliot, Maine. She also leaves twelve adoring grandchildren, eleven greatgrandchildren, her dear friends Elizabeth Dinnie of Ludlow and Adele Chwalek of Westboro, brother-in-law James Guerra of Florida, many nieces and nephews, and extended family in Italy. Fran was an accomplished pianist and gifted piano teacher in Ludlow; she inspired countless talented musicians to pursue a career in the arts. She and John loved making music together, she on the piano or organ, and he on the guitar or bass fiddle, filling their home with music and laughter for all of their years together. Fran made balancing home and career look effortless, cooking homemade dinners every night, typing papers for John Sr. when he pursued his college degree, and making each of her five children feel like they were her favorite. She was brilliant, funny, loving, kind, and nurturing. Sunday dinners regularly included anyone who needed a laugh, good music, and great food; when you were in their home, you were family. If you had the good fortune to visit, you never left empty-handed. Fran would have accompanied you to your car with a pot of soup, a roast chicken, or a folded-up $20 bill. Sometimes all three. As church organist and choir director at St. Mary's Church for 60 years, she gifted church members with beautiful music programs, making every Mass and holiday season a celebration of song. A resident of Beaumont during her last years, Fran made many friends among other residents and the wonderful staff. They enjoyed her sense of humor, kindness, and listening to her piano playing in the dining room. All who knew her were blessed and will be forever grateful for her love, generous spirit, and the many ways she will live on in our hearts and memories. Due to the continued coronavirus restrictions, funeral services for Frances will be held privately by her family in St. Aloysius Cemetery, with Ludlow Funeral Home wwww.ludowfuneralhome.com entrusted with her care. A Public Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Friends of the Ludlow Senior Center Building Fund, in loving memory of Fran Guerra. Checks can be made to The Friends of Ludlow Senior Center and in the memo write Building Fund; 37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA 01056. Information online at www.friendsofludlowseniorcenter.com.