Obituary of Marie B. Francavilla

Marie Francavilla, 88, passed away peacefully on 8/10/22 at her home in Brooklyn, with her daughter Maria by her side. Today was her 66th wedding anniversary. Marie was born and raised in Brooklyn with her sister Jeanne. Although she moved 5 times, she lived her entire life within 2 square miles of her original Brooklyn home. She attended St. Ephrem’s grammar school, where she met lifelong friends Katherine, Pat, Peggy, and Eileen. After studying at Hunter College, Marie worked at Metropolitan Insurance in NYC. A career that was relatively short as she met her husband waiting for a bus on 75th street on the way to work. Carl and Marie were married on August 10th, 1956 at St. Ephrem’s Church. After a couple of years, Marie left work to raise her family. She and Carl moved to 62nd Street in Bensonhurst. Marie was involved in the PTA and Rosary Society. She attended every little league game that Carl coached (with the water jug for team refreshments). She also didn’t miss a brownie pageantry event or dance recital. There were always trips to the beach; daily visits to Momma and Pop’s house to go swimming (only a 2-foot pool); and lots of other neighborhood activities. Family vacations included Cooperstown, day trips to NYC locations, and Carl’s favorite - camping. (Marie was never a happy camper). Between the neighborhood and St. Athanasius parish, they made many life-long friends. As her children started high school, to help pay for Thomas, James, and Maria’s Nazareth and Bishop Kearney High School educations, Marie went back to work. This time as office Secretary at St. Athanasius Grammar School. Not surprisingly, Marie made some additional life-long friends. In 1979 when Carl passed Marie displayed the independence that defined her life. She did her best to allow her kids to continue school and attend college. She learned many things on her own – finding an apartment; reviewing a lease; buying a car; and changing her career once again. This time she went back to work full-time – accepting a position at St. Frances de Sales School for the deaf. She supported the school super-intendent. At St. Frances she enjoyed learning sign language; helping her nieces find positions at the school, and surprise - again making a few more life-long friends. In 1982, Marie purchased and moved into her grandmother’s house. A house that was never quiet. 83rd street was the family gathering place. Spending an afternoon at Marie’s house meant – hearing the phone ring numerous times from family and friends; a pop-in visit from her niece Laura; or a visit from one of the neighbors. Family and friends will always remember the large celebrations and holidays spent at Marie’s house. The Christmas Eve dinners lovingly made with her sister while enjoying a bottle or two of wine; Sunday dinners often including thinly sliced eggplant parmigiana; or the ‘grandma’ chicken that would melt off the bone. And on the rare occasion when she didn’t cook there was always the evening run to Spumoni Gardens for pizza. Everyone felt at home at 83rd Street because of the way Marie made you feel when you walked through the front door. Even during her last few weeks, she would always ask a guest or her care aide – “Do you want something to eat?” In retirement, Marie loved spending time with her friends – she had made a few along the way. She always had a lunch or day-trip or vacation planned with one of her friends. Marie poured her loving, kind, and giving heart into every friendship. And made each friend feel special. Marie also enjoyed spending time with her family – ranging from day trips to Staten Island and New Jersey; weekend trips to Maryland; vacations in Wildwood, Disney World; and cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean. Marie was always active and ready to have fun. In between travelling and mid-week activities with friends, there were the ever-present weekend visits from her best friend Rocco. These included lunches at the River Café; watching Mets and Yankee baseball games at home; going to the movies; going out to eat; and enjoying home-cooked dinners. Regardless of the busy weekend schedule, she and Rocco always found time for their Saturday noontime Martini(s) - with large olives. As much as she enjoyed her time with Rocco and other friends - these activities would quickly be put aside if there was a request from one of her grandchildren. Marie’s greatest happiness was spending time with her grandchildren. She shared a special and unique bond with each of them. She never missed an opportunity to be with them, whether it was a family event, a phone call, or even at 88 years old – an exchange of text messages. She always looked forward to those connections and wouldn’t miss them for the world. Marie was also an avid NY Mets fan. Every night she loved watching the games, listening to Gary, Keith, and Ron. She loved attending the occasional games from the time she was a young mom packing tuna fish sandwiches to most recently when she’d be tailgating in the parking lot with her grandsons. No matter the year or team, Marie was always ready to comment on the night’s previous results or on her favorite players performance – good or bad. She was a true baseball fan. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Carl; her sister Jeanne; her sister-in-law Phyllis; her parents Concettina and William. She is survived by her children Thomas and Eileen Francavilla, James Francavilla, Dan and Maria Matrecano; grandchildren Greg, Emily, Michael, Kacie, Nicole, Brian, Katie, Chris, Peter and Paul. And Gabby, Augusta, Rocco, Dominick, and Mia. Visitation will be held at Matthews Funeral Home in Staten Island. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, August 13th at 9:30AM Holy Family Church in Staten Island, followed by the interment at Ocean View Cemetery in Staten Island. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Francis de Sales School for the Deaf Donate | St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf (sfdesales.org)