Leone Margaret Geromini (O’Neil), 82, of Franklin, died Saturday, November 24, 2018 holding hands with her family - from complications following a recent hospitalization. In her final hours, she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren around the clock.
Leone was preceded in death by her best friend and dear husband, Frank P. Geromini, in 2009. She is survived by her children, Lisa Walsh and her spouse, Rebecca Smith, of Centerville, Frank Peter Geromini III and his wife, Nicole, of Bellingham, Kathleen Karpe and her husband, Blake, of Hopkinton, Maureen Atkins of Fairhaven, Joseph of Linwood, N.J., and Laura Juszczyszyn and her husband, Kyle, of Franklin. She was also “Grammy” to 15 cherished grandchildren: Melissa, Jillian, Sarah, Timothy, Jacqueline, Brooke, Gabrielle, Nicholas, Alexandra, Mitchell, Alexis, Patrick, Joseph, Francesca and Lucas and 4 great-grandchildren, Samuel, Wyatt, Miles and the late Jackson.
Leone was the sister of Sheila Smith and Robert O’Neil, both of Walpole and the late Brian O’Neil. She grew up in Walpole, the daughter of the late Leo and Margaret (Brogan) O'Neil, where she lived until moving to Franklin to begin her life and family with Frank after marrying in 1955. She missed him terribly until her very last moment on earth and her strong Catholic faith gave her confidence that she would reunite with him in death.
Leone’s family was her true purpose – and her days were filled with visits, phone calls and going out to eat with her children and grandchildren. Their accomplishments and travels were a source of great joy and pride for her and she always had words or phrases of wisdom to share when they faced challenges. She often reminded them to live One Day at a Time.
Known for her wry humor, wit and sarcasm, Leone was beloved by all who knew her – from the CVS staff who set aside her newspapers for her every day, to the Busy Bees at the Franklin Senior Center, to her fellow residents at Eaton Place, who became some of the very best friends she had in her lifetime.
Her regular trips to Foxwoods were replaced in recent years by weekly Wednesday night Bingo and occasional games of Keno. An avid New England sports fanatic, Leone passed with a Boston Red Sox manicure, in celebration of the teams’ winning the World Series this year.
Leone will be extraordinarily missed by her children and grandchildren, to whom she served as an anchor to their family. There will truly be no other like her.
The Geromini family would like to thank the ICU care team at UMass Memorial Hospital, especially: Brenda, Erica, Lisa, Becky, Heather and Kate. These women are angels among us.
A wake will take place at the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com), 131 Main St., Franklin, Tuesday, November 27 from 2 - 4 pm and 6 - 8 pm. The funeral will take place Wednesday, November 28, from the funeral home at 9 am, followed by a funeral Mass at St. Jude Catholic Church, 86 Main Street in Norfolk, at 10 am. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s parish cemetery in Franklin. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Franklin Senior Center can be made to: FOFE, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038.