- Date Of Birth: November 20, 1923
- Date Of Death: September 16, 2021
- Spouse: Timothy O'Donnell
- City: West Hempstead
- State: New York
Frances O’Donnell, 97, of Ft. Pierce, Florida, and formerly of West Hempstead, NY, and Naples, Italy, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2021, with her loving family by her side.
Born on Nov. 20, 1923, in Trieste, Italy, Frances was the daughter of the late Giovanni Sole and the late Filomena (Lombardi) Sole. At the age of 2 yrs, Frances moved with her family to Naples where she lived until she was 23.
In 1940, at the age of 17, Frances started her own business of embroidering military emblems for the Italian Army. This business sustained her family of 9 throughout World War II where Naples was one of the most bombed cities in Europe.
In 1944 Frances met “the sunshine of my life” Timothy O’Donnell, an American soldier stationed in Naples. At that time Frances could not speak English and Tim could not speak Italian but, as Tim always explained, they spoke the Universal Language of Love.
They were married in 1946 in Queens, NY. Eventually, Tim, a 100% Disabled American Veteran, and Frances helped to bring all of Frances’ family to NY from war-torn Italy. The couple went on to raise a loving family with 7 children. Tim passed away in Nov. 1979 as a result of his war injuries. At that time Frances became a Gold Star Wife of America.
Frances’ heart was filled with love for her family, friends, and home. Throughout her life, she used her many skills, talents, and artistry to help her loved ones and bring them together. Her delicious cooking was legendary to all who knew her.
The table was always open to family and friends. She shared her professional sewing and bead-work skills with her family through the creation of beautifully tailored clothing, including exquisite wedding gowns for her daughters and daughters-in-law. She embroidered a banner for The Gold Star Wives of America in her husband’s memory which hangs to this day in the Washington DC Headquarters and is used in Veterans Parades.
Frances employed her decorating skills to help many family members make their small businesses a success. She made her home a sanctuary of warmth and comfort and welcomed all who entered it. She kept alive all her traditions and passed them on to future generations.
Despite health problems and difficulties, Frances traveled long distances to be with family in their time of need and for many celebrations including weddings, baptisms, and graduations. She will be with us every day in our minds, our hearts, and our spirits.
Frances was a devout Catholic with a special devotion to St. Anthony and to the Sacred Heart. She credits her faith with helping her family survive WWII. She was a communicant of St Thomas the Apostle in West Hempstead, NY, and St. Mark the Evangelist in Fort Pierce, Florida.
We thank our siblings, Pat & Peter, Mike & Gloria, Eileen & Frank, and Anthony, who all devoted many years caring for Mom. Your hard work and loving efforts gave Mom the happy and comfortable life she cherished.
We are all especially indebted to our brother Anthony who for so many years was Mom’s primary live-in care provider. He is the reason Mom lived for nearly 100 years. His love and care fortified and nourished Mom with the security and happiness she was blessed with the right to the very end of her life.
In addition to her parents and husband, Frances was predeceased by her beloved sisters Rosaria Aletto, Immacolata Caputo, Assunta Peritore, and her beloved brother Salvatore Sole. Also her cherished in-laws: Peter Lorusso, John Bochenski, Joseph Caputo, Joseph Peritore; and nephews Peter Caputo and John Sole.
Frances is survived by her 7 children: Patricia (Peter) Casuscelli, Maureen (Richard) Fiteni, Timothy (Dawn) O’Donnell, John (Marilyn Janiczek) O’Donnell, Michael (Gloria) O’Donnell, Eileen (Frank) Orr, and Anthony O’Donnell; grandchildren: Tara (Matt) Paonessa, Crystal (Adam) Lipski, Jessica O’Donnell, Daniel O’Donnell, Timothy O’Donnell, Eugena O’Donnell, Nicole O’Donnell, Shannon O’Donnell, Justin Orr, and Travis Orr; great-grandchildren: Jason O’Donnell, Reese Paonessa, Luca Paonessa, and Brady Lipski.
She is also survived by her sister, Anna Lorusso, and her brother, Franco Sole, and sisters-in-law, Lydia Sole, Marisa Sole, and brother-in-law Joseph Aletto, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
