Frances Evelyn Trani (Destito)

An unforgettably sweet and saintly soul, Frances Evelyn Trani, (Destito) 89, loving wife of the late Anthony Trani, of East Hartford, CT, passed away Thursday (July 22, 2010) on a peaceful sea breeze morning, held in the arms of her family in her home by the ocean in Charlestown, RI. Born on February 15, 1921 in Hartford, CT, she was the daughter of the late Rosa Destito (Paterno) and Francesco Destito, a tailor who arrived in Ellis Island, from Italy to earn a living in America. Most of her life, Frances worked as a tailor in her father's custom shop, 'Frank D'Estito's,' located on 48 Pratt Street in Hartford. There she specialized in tailored men's suits and women's clothing, but she had the innate talent and capability to design and complete anything she ever set her mind to. Many of the gifts bestowed on family and friends were lovingly handmade. She was a beautiful, adventurous, and admirable character with a sharp sense of humor, and a smile that could light up a grand hall. She was a talented cook, preparing countless meals plentiful enough to feed and share with whomever had the good fortune to answer the call 'Mangia, Mangia.' It was one of her greatest joys to gather everyone to the table. She longed for the sun all winter, and summers spent by the sea. She was extremely dedicated to her family, her friends, and a devout and faithful Catholic who served as a president and member of the Ladies Guild at Blessed Sacrament for years. Every moment in her presence was truly a blessing and a gift. She was loved so immensely, and we were loved so generously in return. She changed our lives immeasurably. She leaves behind an exceptional legacy for her family: daughter Linda Chapman and her husband William, son Peter Trani and his wife Susan, former daughter-in-law Betty Trani, her grandchildren, Christy Yeoumans and her husband Greg, Brenna Chapman, Jared Chapman, Anthony Trani and his wife Michelle, Annmarie Thibodeau and her husband Eric, four adored great- grandchildren, Joseph and Gavin Yeoumans, and Leah and Spencer Thibodeau, and many nieces and nephews. Especially endeared were Mike Galvin, Nancy and John Trani, and many more treasured friends. Besides her husband, Frances was predeceased by sisters, Millie Regina and Connie Fastiggi, and brother Rocco Destito, and her best friend Alice Blair. The family would like to extend our immense gratitude to all who cared tenderly for Frances: The nurses at the dialysis unit at Hartford Hospital, all her most cherished members of the Ladies Guild at Blessed Sacrament and Bingo friends at the South End Senior Center, and the gentle and dignified caregivers at South County Hospice in Rhode Island. Funeral Services will be Monday (July 26th) at 9:45 a.m. from the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford, Conn., with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church, Cambridge Drive, East Hartford. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel TODAY from 4-6 p.m. Memorial contributions in Frances' honor may be made to: RICAN (Rhode Island Center Assisting Those In Need) at St. James Food Pantry, P.O Box 204. Charlestown, R.I. 02813. For online expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.