Frances K. Pagini

1921 - 2019

Frances Margaret (Kriwacki) Pagini, 98, wife of the late David J. Pagini, passed away peacefully at her home on November 26, 2019, after a short illness. Frances was born in the Westfield section of Middletown on August 28, 1921, the daughter of Peter Paul Kriwacki of Buniskiai, Lazdijai, Lithuania, and Frances Platowicz of Kolno, Podlaskie, Poland.

Frances spent her childhood in a variety of venues as her father plied his many occupations, ultimately ending up on the shores of paper Goods Pond in Kensington. She attended Berlin Schools, including Berlin High School where she excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian of her class and participated in a mind-boggling number of extracurricular activities (13 in all). She wasted no time putting her skills and intellect to good work by applying to the War Department more than a year before the War broke out. She was among the first War Department employees to occupy the Pentagon upon its completion. Like so many of the Greatest Generation, she aspired to a strong work ethic and frugality. Upon her return from Washington after the War, she worked for Max Savitt in Hartford, among other jobs. Son one of her commutes from Kensington, she crossed paths with a young Italian American from Meriden, and the rest is history. They married on June 18, 1949. She was a skilled seamstress, sewing many of her own clothes, as well as her wedding gown. Gathering their War Bonds, they built a little cape on the fringes of the Italian neighborhood, where they raised five children.

Frances put her secretarial skills to work again Secretary for Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and then as a legal Secretary at Halloran and Sage in Hartford. They were not world travelers, but cross-crossed New England and Eastern NY on day trips. Their "retirement" hobby was no less in work and effort than a second career, combining their gardening skills to create eye-popping flower beds David's role), and fragrant herbs (Francis' role) In 1994, their labors were rewarded when they won the Meriden Daffodil Garden Contest in the category of "naturalized garden".

Frances faithfully cared for David in their home when he became so debilitated that he was unable to walk. Thanks to her care and the help of family and dedicated caregivers, he had a peaceful passing in his own home.

Frances is survived by daughters Claire Pagini of Thomaston and Elizabeth (Rod) Plaisted of West Danville, VT; sons Robert (Marcella Drozd) Pagini of Meriden; Donald (Janet Zagorski) Pagini of Meriden; and John (Kathleen Lodge) Pagini of Coventry; beloved grandchildren Amy (Torchia) Bacon; Daniel and Katie Torchia; Jeffrey (Amy) Pagini, Kevin (Diana) Pagini; David (Rebecca) Pagini; Joseph Pagini; Christina (Pagini) Hatch and husband John; step-grandchildren Salvatore Camera, Victoria (Camera) Reed); Patricia (Camera) Sumara; and Deborah Camera-Moriarty; great-grandchildren Emma and Kaitlyn Pagini; Maya, Jude, Jonas, and Layla Bacon; Ava Strassberger; and Sean, Brandon, and Ryan Hatch; step-great-grandchildren Nicholas and Natalie Camera; Tori Duckworth Phillip); Kyle (Mollie) Hendrix; Jessica Rand (Stephen); James (Sheri) Cromarty; Brianna & Gracey Moriarty; and Kelsey Hatch); and step-great-great grandchildren Alex, Olivia, Thomas, Grayson and Zarina. She is also survived by 4 nieces and 2 nephews, and a sister-in-law Rosalie Kriwacki. Besides her husband, she is predeceased by sisters Helen Simeone and Edwina Kriwacki, and brother Peter Kriwacki; nieces Judith McIntyre and Marie Simeone; nephew Thomas Kriwacki; and son-in-law James Torchia.

We cannot express enough appreciation for the loving and skilled care of her caregiver for the past year, Temitope Alimi of Visiting Angels. With her irreplaceable dedication, we were able to fulfill our mother's wishes to live her final years in her own home, and on her own terms.

Calling hours for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2019, at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 East Main Street, Meriden from 4 to 7 PM. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at 9:15 AM from the funeral home to Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, Mt. Carmel Campus, 109 Goodwill Avenue, Meriden for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 250 Gypsy Lane, Meriden. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.jferryfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Frances' memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.