Frances DeNardis

Frances DeNardis passed away on February 17, 2011 at age 80. Frances was born November 18, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Girolamo and Palma Galante. Beloved wife of Armando A. DeNardis for 57 years. Dear mother of James (Cynthia) DeNardis, Lisa (Charles) Izant and the late Gina Burke. Loving grandmother of Nickolas (Andrea) and Anthony DeNardis, Jason (Becky) and Jaclyn Burke, Andrea and Deirdre Izant and great granddaughter, Isabelle Burke. WORDS of THANKSGIVING for FRANCES Frances would have been so happy to see all of you today. I want you all to think of Thanksgiving, the smell of the turkey cooking, the family gathering to eat and give thanks. So many fond memories come to my mind at this time. It was my mom’s(Frances) favorite holiday. The Holiday is designated to be a day for Thanks. It gives us a day every year to think of all those things we are thankful for (no gifts given) just thanks, food, drink and family. Thinking back, every year My Mother and Father are the first things that would come to mind. It was always at the top on my list of how grateful I am to have had the parents I did. My mother did play a big role in making my brother and me who we are today. I ‘m a little bias, but I think she did an outstanding job. She was a good example of how we should live and enjoy the simple things that mattered most. She was such a lovely and great lady and the best Wife and Mother, Sister and Friend any of us could ever have. She had so many great qualities. Those of us who knew Frances do know many of these things. Many recall her special smile, and her heart of gold. She had a fun and sweet disposition. Her friendly face and sparkly eyes were always welcomed. She had talents, an artist and creative flair. She had this ability to fix and repair almost everything, drying those falling tears, bandaging scrapped knees to consoling broken hearts. She would always make things better. I want to give her the name” Master Mender”--- She was so good. But, most of all, she gave us her love and devotion. She loved her family and husband deeply. She always made this known to all of us. FAMILY comes first and was the most important thing. Frances was born in Detroit at home. Her parents Girolamo (Jerry) and Palma (Paulie) immigrated to America from Sicily and raised 9 children. Frances was the 8th in line with 3 brothers (Fred, Sam and Jerry) and 5 sisters (Virginia, Josephine, Nina, Palma and Theresa). Most of her childhood was spent with lots of family and summers on the Farm in Roseville. Growing vegetables and canning them to help feed all those hungry mouths. She thought of these years often and remembers being poor but they were the” good old days.” She became a legal secretary after high school and worked 5 years before marrying Armando (Mundy) and having 3 children (Jim, Gina and Lisa). She was a wonderful homemaker and most of her life was surrounded by family. She loved her job and added so much fun and excitement to raising us and taking care of Dad. She also kept busy with every craft, sewing Halloween costumes, clothes, drapes and curtains. She even dressed up like a witch for many years. Knitting and crocheting Afghans, to making ceramics and porcelain dolls. Many of you have some of her great works. She loved to give her talents to all of those she loved. She especially loved being a grandma, perfect for the role. She always played with her grandchildren (Jason, Jackie, Nick and Anthony) and enjoyed them as much as she could. She was so excited to see her great granddaughter, Isabelle. She would always tell us to be careful driving even till the end. Her 57 years with Mundy was another great accomplishment. I would ask her how she stayed married so long. She would tell me, When you love someone so much you learn to overlook and tolerate all the bad things. The good and wonderful memories will remain. She loved us all. We loved her back. Her fight for life was strong but, little Mighty Frances could no longer be mended. The Lord has taken her to a new home and given her a life everlasting. She will bloom into the beautiful butterfly and travel where she wishes. Her journey has just begun now. We will miss her now she is no longer among us. We will carry on knowing we will see and reunite with her one day. I hope she will watch over us and help us mend our broken hearts. Frances will live in our hearts and memories forever. She has left us with a part of her. Thanksgiving will never be the same with out her. I simply ask all of you to give thanks for sharing her life with us. Good Bye for now. WE ALL LOVED YOU SO!!! We all know she is now resting and at peace with the Lord. Thank you. Your, Loving Daughter and Family

Frances DeNardis

November 18, 1930 - February 17, 2011