Obituary of Frances M. Healy

CHESHIRE, CT - Frances (Morsello) Healy, 102, was called to rest on Friday, August 31, 2018 at MidState Medical Center in Meriden, CT.  She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph E. Healy.

Frances was born at home on January 19, 1916 in Pittsfield, MA, one of nine children of immigrant parents, Paul and Angelina (Livorni) Morsello, from San Valentino, in the province of Pescara, Italy.  She was a long-time resident of Pittsfield, MA, where she attended the public schools up until the 9^th grade, when she chose to leave school to work full-time to help support her family.  Education was important to her and she later went back and earned her GED.

Widowed at 38, Frances used her internal strength and determination to raise and provide for her two children. She worked tirelessly as skilled seamstress for Sam Boxer, Sidney Sissleman, Shapley Blouses and Jones of New York.  She also was employed at Pittsfield General Hospital (now Berkshire Medical Center) and the former Falls Nursing Home in Holyoke, MA.  In her retirement years, Frances generously shared her time and handiwork talents.  She will be remembered for her signature “chevron” patterned afghans that she crocheted for friends, family and many newborn babies. She also generously donated these to hospitals and nursing homes. 

For over 30 years, Frances found herself living happily at The Curtis in Lenox, MA surrounded by the abundant Berkshire County culture, seasonal programs and local events. She passed on her love of the Berkshires to her grandchildren with outings to Tanglewood, Stockbridge, Mount Greylock, museums, parades, along with her reflections of her love of blueberry picking.  A long-time parishioner of St. Ann’s Church in Lenox, MA, Frances was a frequent participant and supporter of many of the church programs, especially volunteering annually at their Big Event.  Her last two and a half years were spent in Cheshire, CT at the home of her daughter where new interests and participations were shared with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Joyce of Cheshire, CT; her son Joseph E. Healy of Lanesboro, MA; her grandchildren Shelly (Joyce) Costaregni and her husband Patrick of Wakefield, RI; Margot (Joyce) Popowycz and her husband Peter of Old Wethersfield, CT; Michael Joyce of Old Wethersfield, CT; Heather (Healy) Venable of Louisiana; her seven great grandchildren Matthew, Megan, Mia, Kadin, Eliza, Kelsey and Brent; and one great, great grandchild Steele. She was predeceased by her three year old grandson, Mark E. Joyce, her brothers Joseph, Paul and Nicholas, her sisters Margaret (Lombardi), Mary (Gasbarrone), Josephine (Tristany), and Angelina (Savko).  She is survived by her sister Pauline (Asher) and several nieces and nephews, as well as several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Frances was blessed with a fierce independence which allowed her to verbally embrace politics, daily activities, family opportunities and a life pattern that for her was one of consistent love and worry about her family.  Family was her priority and to each member of her family she gave unconditional love.  She will be greatly missed by her family who know how very blessed they were to have had her in their lives for so many years. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget of Sweden Parish, 175 Main Street in Cheshire, CT.  Friends are asked to meet directly at the church.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in St. Joseph Cemetery in Pittsfield, MA. There will be no calling hours.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lenox Library Association, 18 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240 or a charity of choice. The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire is assisting with the arrangements.