Frances Grassi

Mrs. Frances (DeSarro) Grassi, 96, passed into the Hands of the Lord and the arms of her beloved husband, Leonard on Friday, January 16, 2015. Her loving family was by her side. Frances was born in Utica on October 24, 1918, a daughter of the late Joseph and Lucy (Napoli) DeSarro. She was educated at St. Mary of Mt Carmel School. On January 12, 1946, Frances married the love of her life, Leonard Grassi. This blessed union of fifty-seven years was unrivaled in total love and mutual devotion. Her beloved Leonard passed away on March 12, 2003. Mrs. Grassi was employed for a time as the manager of the bakery department at Chicago Market in New Hartford. Frances was a lifelong communicant of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, where she was active in its St. Anne Society. She is survived by her beloved family, daughter and son-in-law, Theresa "Terry" and John Reale Sr. of New Hartford, son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Deborah (LaPolla) Grassi of Utica; her grandchildren, John Jr. and Jean Reale, Gina and Stephen Surace, Paul and Michele Reale, Erika Grassi and her fiance` Shawna Kidd, Jaclyn and Christopher Maldonado, Erin Reale, Michael and Shawna Grassi, and Sara Reale; great grandchildren, Emily and Rachel Surace, Matthew and Christopher Reale, Marciano Maldonado, and soon to be born great grandchildren, Mila Maldonado and Luca Grassi; also sisters-in-law, Palma DeSarro and Pauline Pfeifer; and in-laws, Thomas and Ellyn Grassi, and Michael and Anne Grassi; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by two brothers and a sister-in-law, Anthony DeSarro, and Carmen and Florence DeSarro; two sisters, Rose DeSarro and Theresa Dupra; and in-laws Joseph Pfeifer, and Carolyn and Frederick Bidwell. Her funeral will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. from The Matt Funeral Home and at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Entombment will be in Calvary Mausoleum. Relatives and friends may call on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., at Mohawk St., Utica. The family would like to thank their special angels at St. Luke's Home Barton West, especially acknowledging Sherry, Rachel, Alicia, Amanda, Cassandra, Sue, Joe, Audrey, and Angelica. Mom..."You are our sunshine, our only sunshine..." For directions to the funeral home, click the link above.

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