Signora Frances De Pietro succumbs at the age of 97

One of the most loved icons in the Southern California Italian community, Frances De Pietro at age 97 is now in the bosom of her Maker. She quietly left her earthly home to join in what she believed – the quietude, the bliss, the tranquility and the highest level of spirituality we can inherit. We will surely miss this sophisticated, yet humble lady of strong but gentle character who rigorously championed her beliefs in keeping the flame of love from her Italian roots well fanned.

Frances De Pietro was born in Soveria Manelli, Provincia di Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy. She attended grammar school there. In 1926, together with her mother, Santa Sirianni and her three brothers Philip, Samuel and Joseph she emigrated to the United States to join her father, Giosuč Sirianni. They settled in Rochester, New York. There Frances studied English and graduated with honors in two years from No.9 Elementary school. She attended Benjamin Franklin High School were she majored in business administration.

In 1941 Frances and Philip decided to visit Samuel who was a designer at Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank. They fell in love with the Southern California climate and decided to make this area their home. Frances and Phil ventured into business together, purchasing a neighborhood market in Glendale.

In 1943, Frances met Frank De Pietro, and they married in 1945. From their union they were blessed with two sons, Robert, born in 1947 and Dennis, born in 1949. The market was sold and Frances dedicated her time to her husband and family. Moving to the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles, she became involved in her sons’ school activities and she became president of the Mothers’ Club at Our Mother of Good Counsel parish. The family traveled extensively, but was always grateful to return home to God’s paradise of Southern California.

Frances increased her interest in community affairs, in part due to Frank nostalgic and enthusiastic involvement in activities which enriched both the Italian community as well as the United States. Frank and Frances sponsored numerous Italo-American events, all of which were dedicated to achieving unity, harmony and togetherness.
Frances’ support contributed to the family’s donating two full years of productivity to the realization of Villa Scalabrini.

A long time member of the Italian Woman’s Club (Club Femminile Italiano), Frances has served on numerous committees, as a Board member for nearly twenty years, as Treasurer in 1978/1979 and as President in 1979/1980. Frances was President of the Orphans of Italy in 1982/1983 and served for many years as their Italian-correspondent. Frances was a member of the Patrons of Italian Culture and the Garibaldina Society.

After Frank passed away, Frances continued to provide her home for functions and fundraisers sponsored by the Patrons of Italian Culture, the Gioventů Italiana, the Italian Hall and the Italian Woman’s Club.
She had been nominated to serve on the Los Angeles County Grand Jury. Frances served as an election officer and provided her home as the neighborhood polling place for over twenty-five years. In 1989/1990 she served as treasurer of the Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California.

That same year she became treasurer of the Columbus Explorers. In memory of he husband, Frances established the Frank De Pietro Endowed Memorial Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to students of Italian ancestry at Harvey Mudd College where her son Robert received his undergraduate degree. In December, 1992 the Italian government bestowed on Frances the title of Cavaliere.

She remained active in her business ventures and was president of the De Pietro Corporation. Frances enjoyed her garden, her cooking, her friends and her family. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren. Robert has been blessed with a daughter, Althea. Dennis and his wife Susan have been blessed with a daughter, Erin and a son, James.
Frances often stated that she owed all of her achievements to her husband, who was always the pillar of her inspiration, giving her moral support, encouragement and help.

This is a testament to her humility. She became a pillar in her own right as an honored, respected individual who committed herself to the Italian American community, her friends, her children and grandchildren.