Frances Anna Dagonese

Shortly after midnight on Friday, January 14th, 2022, Frances Anna Dagonese (born Francesca Anna Pirritano) transitioned peacefully from this world. Frances was born on July 26, 1932, in Cortale, Italy (in the province of Catanzaro of the region of Calabria). In their small town home, her father Raffaele (Ralph) Pirritano attended to his wife Margherita Occhuito Pirritano and assisted in the delivery of Francesca, the youngest of their seven children.

At the end of WWII, Francesca (age 15) and her older sisters migrated with their mother Margherita to this country to be reunited with Ralph and the two eldest sons who had migrated before the war broke out and had been working in the U.S. to establish a new home for the family in Buffalo, New York.

As bilingual education was not standard practice in the U.S. during that time, young Francesca was put in a kindergarten class to learn English with children ten years younger than she was. She became known by her English name, Frances. Frances grew and matured into her 4'11” adult frame, after overcoming some life-threatening health issues which put her in the children's hospital for about 3 months. A strong survivor, Frances was adorably known as feisty and funny. To her adoring nieces and nephews, she was affectionately known as “Aunt Pappy.”

Frances eventually met Frank (born Francesco) Dagonese at an Italian American Club. The two married in Buffalo, New York, on November 13, 1954, when Frances was 22 years old. Frank and Frances were married for nearly 65 years, until 86-year-old Frank passed the day after Father's Day, on June 17, 2019. Among those left behind to celebrate their memories, are the couple's five children: Joanne Dagonese (65); Gerard Dagonese (64); Margaret Ann Parker (63); Nancy Louise Nunez (61); and Lawrence Dagonese (58). The spouses and children of these five also have warm and fond memories of the love shared within this family through Life's ups and downs.

Through countless illnesses, injuries, surgeries and recoveries, the family observed traditional values that carried them through many challenging events. Frances in particular, seemed to wear her multiple scars from various surgeries as badges of honor displaying her strength and courage, starting from her teen years and lasting until she passed. As testament to her philosophy of life, Frances would always sing her favorite song, “Que Sera, Sera” (Whatever Will Be, Will Be). On the evening before her quiet passage, she was surrounded by her children, who were holding hands, singing, praying, reading Scripture, and sharing their most treasured stories of their mom's most humorous antics.

Before earning her self-designated title as “Domestic Engineer,” Frances was a professional seamstress. She excelled at being a wise mother and home-maker. Frank proudly invited co-workers and church members, priests, nuns, teachers, doctors and friends from all walks of life to their home often to enjoy Frances' homemade Italian cooking.

Among Frances' other immediate surviving family members are: her sister Teresa Lauricella (91); her cousin Mary Nilio (93); her sister-in-law Carmela (84); and many nieces and nephews, residing all over the country, as well as in Europe.

The Celebration of Life and burial will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022, at Montecito Memorial Park and Mortuary, in Colton, CA. Viewing will be from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, followed by a Catholic service from !0:00 to 11:00 AM. Burial service will be held at the gravesite in the Holy Family section.