Frances Louise Desmond

It is with profound sadness that our family announces the passing of Frances L Desmond. She was born to and preceded in death by her parents Frank and Josephine Rizzo. She is survived by her devoted husband Daniel Desmond, her children: Daniel Desmond with his wife Barbara, Lisa Arcuri with her husband John, KerryAnne Desmond-Totillo, with her husband Jeffrey, Christopher Desmond, with his wife Susan, her ten grandchildren, and her sister Laura Marie.

Whether you knew her as Fran, Mom, or Grammie, your life was blessed by her presence. With Grace she oversaw an abundant household, overflowing with the ones she loved. Before the Christmas tree wide-eyed grandchildren gathered eagerly for presents. At her dinner table, family held hands to thank God and her for the delicious meal in front of them, and the smiling company around them.

Her grandchildren, for whom she poured her heart into hand-painted birthday cards, year after year, remember her as an ever-present voice of love and worry for them…she loved them unconditionally…and she instilled in them a love of God, imparting on them her faith and encouragement to attend Mass. You could often hear, and she was often complimented for her incredible singing voice in church, and beyond. In fact, we’ll never know if she could’ve had a career in music, because she instead chose marriage and children…

She was an artist. She started later in life, after all the children were grown… but everyone who knew her, recognized her talents, and most are lucky to have a piece of her work, which she never asked any money for… Her husband and children will always remember her as the cornerstone, the glowing hearth around who they could raise their children, shelter from the stresses of life, practice their faith, and stretch some pizza dough every Christmas Eve…

While our hearts will take time to mend, her spirit will remain in our family’s crowded living rooms. From generation to generation, we will pass the same love and devotion she embodied, and her memory will comfort us many years to come.