Frances Maria Testa

Frances Maria Testa, 100, of Wethersfield and Rocky Hill, wife of the late Philip M. Testa, died Sunday, (June 12, 2011) at Hartford Hospital. She was born in 1910 in Canicattini Bagni, Province of Siracusa, Sicily, daughter of the late Emmanuel and Concetta (Mangiafico) Alderucci. Frances lived in Wethersfield for more than 42 years. She and her mother came to America to join Emmanuel in 1913, passing through Ellis Island. On a trip to Ellis Island in the 1980's Frances was invited to record the events of her voyage from Sicily to New York and became part of the living library there. The family settled in Hartford. Frances went to area schools and at age 14 enrolled in the Hartford Secretarial School graduating in 1925. At age 15 she started working full time. She was employed as a stenographer by Stackpole, Moore & Tryon in Hartford and then worked for the State of Connecticut at the Department of Education. She was a member of the Young Italian American Association Women's Auxillary where she was a past president and also was a charter member of the Daughters of Canicattini Bagni. She married Philip in 1936. From 1945 to 1953 they owned and operated the Patio Restaurant in Sound View, Old Lyme. In 1970 they built their vacation home in New Hampshire and traveled often to Florida. Frances is survived by two children; a son, Joseph Testa and his wife Terry of Bristol; a daughter, Elisabeth ""Betty"" Testa and her long time companion, Craig Wallsten of Rocky Hill; a sister, Sadie Cassarino of Glastonbury; three grandchildren; Dawn Nelson and her husband Michael, Jane Moreno and her husband James and Steven Testa and his wife Julie and nine great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Nellie Russo and a brother, Salvatore Alderucci.

The funeral is Wednesday (June 15, 2011) beginning at 9 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., in St. James Church, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. Calling hours will be TODAY from 4-7 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel in Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Augustine School, 20 Clifford Street, Hartford, CT 06114. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.