Frances (Peluso) Gaspari

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Frances Gaspari, who peacefully left this earth with her family by her side at the Hospice House in Lincoln, MA on Thursday, February 27, 2025. She was 82.

A graduate of Saint Charles High School and a longtime Waltham resident, Franny grew up on Taylor Street before spending more than 50 years with her beloved husband, Sonny, in their home on Waverly Oaks Road. She spent her final year at Waltham Crossing, where she delighted in winning bingo.

In life, Franny was a devoted wife and loyal friend who would give you her last dime or a hand to hold. Tough as nails, she would also tell you to go to hell if she thought you belonged there.

Franny was happiest during Celtics season cheering on Burr, Bird, McHale, and Garnett. She almost never missed a game, was in the Boston Garden during the iconic moment in 1965 when Havlicek stole the ball, and proudly boasted that she once shook Bill Russell’s hand. She loved sitting on the beaches of Maine with her feet in the ocean, expertly cracking lobsters after a boat ride, and treating herself to manicures on Moody Street.

She was a familiar face at the Waltham supermarket's bakery, where she worked for decades and made many lifelong friends. She also worked for many years at Arkwright Insurance. She was deeply committed to her faith and her community, serving as a dedicated member of Sacred Heart and Saint Charles churches and as a volunteer at Waltham’s Senior Center, where she and Sonny delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly.

She is predeceased by her husband Santo Gaspari; her sister and brother, Ann Schutz and Vincent Peluso; and her parents, Emily and Vincent Peluso.

Franny is survived by her sister, Barbara Cunningham; nieces and nephews Mary, Shawn, and Noel Cunningham, Caroline Schutz, David Peluso, Sherry Whittington, Vincent Peluso Jr.; Verdell and Ken Roberts; many grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as great nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

Family and friends will honor and remember Frances' life by gathering for a Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, March 12th from 4 to 6 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

The livestream of her Mass is available at https://www.sacredheart311.com/watch-match

 May she rest in peace with her dear Sonny by her side once again.

Memorial donations may be made to the Waltham Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels Program, 488 Main Street, Waltham, MA.