Frances D. Chamberlain

Frances D. Chamberlain, née Amodeo, of Pisgah Forest, NC, passed away peacefully
on Sunday, September 28, surrounded by her children. She was 83.
Born and raised in Yonkers, NY, Fran was the daughter of Anthony Amodeo and Loretta
Salerno. She graduated from Commerce High School and her early careers as both a
hair stylist and an administrative assistant at her children's elementary school allowed
her to successfully raise her "three boys." Fran and her late husband, Richard T.
Chamberlain, relocated to the mountains of Western North Carolina nearly three
decades ago, after more than twenty-four years in Mamaroneck, NY.
Fran, who had a number of loving monikers (E.g., Franny, Aunt Franny, Babes, Nannie,
and Grandma, to name a few), cherished sunny days near the ocean, having tanned
and dog paddled at beaches up and down the East coast, from Maine's Old Orchard
Beach to Holden Beach in North Carolina. Her love of music included the big band
sounds of the 40s and doo-wop oldies of the 50s, with Elvis Presley being one of her
enduring favorites. In addition to being an avid reader, Fran's pastimes included painting
and playing both board and card games - particularly with her grandchildren. When not
watching reruns of Gunsmoke or engaging in healthy competition for the fastest
answers during Jeopardy, Fran enjoyed Mexican food and raising a glass of red wine
with her family and friends.
Her fortitude (she defeated breast cancer!) was balanced by her soft-spoken ways, and
Fran demonstrated her love of others through her cooking: the number of pasta meals
she made with her special homemade spaghetti sauce and unrivaled meatballs could
likely qualify her for the Guinness Book of Records. And nothing satisfied the sweet
tooth like her famous Pfeffernüsse cookies she shared every Christmas. Fran's geniality
was evidenced in many ways, including the outdoor haircuts she gave freely to
neighbors during the height of the pandemic; it's no wonder friends and caregivers
called her "so sweet."
In addition to her late husband and parents, Fran was predeceased by her sisters
Dorothy (Cavallo) and Anne Marie (Claisse), and brothers Frank and Michael Amodeo.
She is survived by her three sons, Brian (Beverly) Chamberlain of Rock Hill, SC, Keith
(Karen) of South Yarmouth, MA, and Brendan (Tracy) Chamberlain of St. Augustine, FL,
her grandchildren, Ian, Emily, and Riley Chamberlain, in-laws Leroy and Regina
Orchanian, and Laurie Mulford (North Carolina), and Elizabeth Chamberlain and
Beverly Chamberlain (New York), along with many nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass and interment will take place at Sacred Heart Church of Brevard, North
Carolina, on Saturday, December 13, at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating to the Foundation of
Community Hospice & Palliative Care at thefoundationcares.org/give.