Our beautiful and extraordinary parents died two days apart. Our father Francis Anthony L’Estrange was born on September 25, 1939 in Dublin, Ireland and died on May 21, 2020 in Queens, NY. He was 80 years old. Our Mother Marianne Rader L’Estrange was born on April 5, 1944 in Queens, NY and died on May 19, 2020 in Queens , NY. She was 76 years old. My brother Francis J L’Estrange, his wife Brenda L’Estrange, my husband Philip Guarneri and I, Yvonne Guarneri are devastated by their passing. The blessings they had were their grandchildren Michael J Murtagh, Francis A L’Estrange, William Paul L’Estrange, Matthew J Guarneri, Sean T Guarneri and Jessica McNally. Their additional blessing in their lives were Lorraine Quinlan and her daughter Skylar Quinlan. They loved us all.
Our Parents were born worlds apart but found each other at an Irish dance in New York City in 1961. They were married on December 29, 1962. Our father was 23 years old and a Corporal in the United States Army and our mother was a young 18 year old woman. They were married 57 years. Their entire lives together they lived in Queens, NY. Growing up in Long Island City, NY we did not have a lot but we always had enough. Our parents were very religious and instilled in us strong Catholic values. We went to church every Sunday morning and we would come home afterwards and have a big breakfast. Sometimes we went to church twice when we would go visit our Uncle Joe, Aunt Mary and all of our cousins on Long Island on Sunday afternoons. We would go to 5:00 mass and then have dinner together (my brother and I were thrilled to go to mass twice). God and family is what made my parents happiest. The two together was a great day.
Our father was an avid golfer. He enjoyed spending time with his golf buddies, but it was a great day of golf when he got to play with his nephews Brian and Joe. Our father took the roll of surrogate father to my “sister” Lorraine 35 years ago when she came to live with us and his nieces Carmel, Marie, Anne, Eileen and Deborah when his brother Joe past 15 years ago. He was there for our Aunt Mary when she needed him most. The last ten years of my father’s life he has been my mother’s care giver which was difficult at times. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2002 and beat it, but for the last ten years her COPD and other health issues made it difficult for her to travel. My father was a slight man but he had broad shoulders that everyone could lean on. We will all miss his guidance, wisdom and love.
Our mother always had a special way of explaining God or Catholic teachings so that everyone could understand. She loved being a CCD teacher at St. Joan of Arc. Her eldest grandson Michael was her favorite student. Her other joy in life was making crocheted blankets for everyone in the family. The last blanket she made will be held for her first great-grandchild. She was a great best friend. We could tell her anything and there would never be judgement. She just genuinely loved and cared for her family. She had a contagious laugh (hoo hoo) that made everyone around her smile. We will miss our talks with her more than anything.
Our family will never be the same again. They were incredible people to know and we feel blessed that they were our parents. We take comfort knowing they are together and we will see them again. We love you both so very much.
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