Mrs. Frances "Chicky" DiFraia, born in Gaeta, Italy and a longtime Medford and Somerville resident, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 2, 2019, at the Winchester Hospital. She was 93 years old. Frances was the beloved wife of the late Salvatore DiFraia, daughter of the late Frank and Rosa (DiNitto) Fedele, and sister of the late Cosmo and Anthony Fedele.
Frances' greatest joy and focus was her family. Nothing made her happier than to be surrounded by children and especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she adored. Frances was a faithful Catholic who could be found praying the Rosary several times a day. She also worked for several years as a sales clerk at Sears in both Cambridge and Burlington where she helped many customers and fostered many wonderful friendships with coworkers over the years. She will fondly be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her children; Madeline Frattura of Stoneham, Anthony DiFraia and his wife Carol of Wilmington, Francis DiFraia and his wife AnnMarie of Medford, Rosanne DiFraia-Thorpe and her husband Duane of Stoneham, and Robert DiFraia of Melrose. She was the loving grandmother of Michael D. Frattura and his wife Jessica, Lisa Zannelli and her husband Nick, Michelle Conde and her husband Dan, Danielle, Adam and Andrew DiFraia, Denise Savino and her husband John, David Thorpe, Matthew, Drew and Rachel DiFraia. She is also survived by seven loving great grandchildren: Daniel, Joseph-Anthony, Francesca-Rose, Ava, Michael, Luca and Siena. Mother-in-law of Kathy DiFraia of Melrose.
Funeral services will be held from the Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 306 Main St., MEDFORD, Saturday, March 9th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Clement Church, 71 Warner St., Medford, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Frances' memory to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105