Obituary of Frances Audrey Neri

Frances Audrey Neri passed away peacefully in the comfort of her daughter’s home in Stroudsburg, PA on January 7, 2025. She had shared 88 years of unconditional love, infectious laughter, honest truth, priceless wisdom, and unforgettable memories with family and friends.

Frances was born in North Newark. She grew up with seven siblings in a typical Italian American household on Sylvan Avenue.

She married Daniel Calabrese in 1960 and had three children. As changes in life took place, Frances succeeded beyond measure in motherhood. As a single parent, she raised her children with an understanding of the importance of sacrificing for those you love. From early on, it was clear her life was all about her children. She treasured her family more than anything else.  

Succeeding as a working single parent is hard, considering the financial pressures involved, Frances still made sure that her children fully experienced all the normalcies of growing up and much more. Her children always enjoyed lavish Christmases with embellished holiday dinners, sweet sixteen and twenty-first birthday celebrations, along with family gatherings to recognize milestone accomplishments.  Frances created memories that many often speak of and cherish today. 

Even though Frances never had the opportunity to attend college, she instilled in her children the value of education. Just as equally, she promoted the importance of being grounded in common sense and etiquette.  At a very young age, she taught her children the value of money and how to use it wisely to help other people.

Frances taught her children many intangible qualities, not through long talks, but through her example.  The way she lived her life taught them about fortitude, appreciating a hard day’s work, and strength in accomplishing goals and rising above challenges. 

Frances proudly served her community by owning and operating a small delicatessen called Francine’s Deli in Vailsburg.  Francine’s deli was a meeting place for children on their way to school always ensuring their bellies were full or helping families get by. Her caring was the kind of sacrifice that was important to her because it connected her to the lives of those who entered.

Frances loved to give of her talents to celebrate others.  She was a fine party planner who created celebrations for the whole family to enjoy.  At one celebration, she used her 55^th birthday, over thirty years ago, to bring the entire family together.  At that celebration, she and her daughter dressed up in authentic clown suits, provided pony rides, pinatas, and games.  Scary was it to see her brothers and sisters trying to ride a pony, but everyone participated in the fun that Frances created. Other parties included a Hawaiian Luau for her daughter’s 25^th surprise birthday and gatherings at Haskell and Rockaway where she would organize different themes with an abundance of food.  She was the life of every party but never its center. 

Frances’ gatherings were not limited to family, however, as they extended to her dear friends.  She sustained lifelong friendships with Annette Stango, Rochelle Manara, Flo Mayo, and Kathy Lombardy.  These were lifelong friendships with a bond that was unbroken.

Her time and talents extended to her co-workers at AT&T as well.  Anne May Ronan and Diane Sargo, along with many other loyal friends.

Frances’ work included being a flight announcer at Newark Airport, prior to it becoming international, waitressing and bartending, owning her own business, AT&T long distance operator, in conjunction to working evenings as front door admissions attendant at Studio One for many years. Finally, she worked as a demonstrator at Shop Rite in Rockaway, where she met and fed many residents.  She had so much fun with her co-workers.

Even during retirement, Frances continued to build friendships. Frances touched so many lives with her personality, generosity, kindness, caring, and willingness to listen when someone was hurting. She had a straight up way of telling people how it was, even if they did not want to hear it. Her choice of words, well, let’s just say, were her own. Her generosity and sincere caring for others is evident by the hundreds of birthday and thank you cards along with personal heartfelt letters that she saved for the last 30 years.

No matter whom she encountered throughout her life, Frances’ impression upon others was lasting and meaningful.  She could connect with the young at a raucous heavy metal club just as easily as she could connect to an elderly neighbor at the grocery store.  She connected to all walks of life with remarkable ease because of her genuine love for others. 

She made apparent this love for human connection which stemmed from her deep faith; this was her focus her entire life.  She may not have visited the church often, but her faith in God was strong.  She’d spend a good part of each day just sitting, looking out the window, and praying.  Religious statues adorned the inside and outside of her home, reflecting her belief in something more. 

Considering Frances’ legacy and what she leaves behind, and her example to those who knew her well or mere acquaintances will impart many lessons.  Never to give up, there is always a better way, love of family & sincere caring for others. Her words of wisdom which will continue to resonate with many allowing her legacy to live on.

In conclusion, in Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia Charles Caput’s book Things Worth Dying For, he writes, “We acknowledge that someone unique and unrepeatable has left the world; a life filled with its own universe of joys, sufferings, and loves has passed; a life once linked vividly to so many others, but now sustained only in memory.  For people of faith, death isn’t an end.  It’s a beginning.  God and his mercy are real.” 

Frances, you are loved and will be missed by many. We will look forward to being reunited with you in the glory of God forever and ever.  Amen.

Although we are deeply saddened by Fran’s passing, we take comfort in knowing she is now reunited with those that have gone before her, her parents Charles and Marie Paraboschi; her siblings, Louis Bruce and his wife Catherine, Eugene Bruce and his wife Marie, Laura Nowacki and her husband George, Claire Basile, Camille “Junie” Paraboschi, Carlette McGuire and her husband George, and MaryAnn Paraboschi; the father of her children, Daniel Frank Calabrese; and her nieces Linda Bruce and Tara McGuire.

Her legacy will live on forever in the hearts of her adored children, Corrine Calabrese-LoSchiavo and her husband John LoSchiavo, Glenn Calabrese and his wife Francine, and Eugene Calabrese and his wife Colleen; her cherished grandchildren, Sophia Swanson and her husband Sam, Andrew LoSchiavo and his wife Kristen, John LoSchiavo, Michael LoSchiavo, and Peyton Calabrese; her caring brother, Charles Paraboschi and his wife Marina; her loyal grand dogs, Merica and Gaetano Rocco; her loving nieces and nephews, Nancy Knops and her husband Darrel, Susan Elliott and her husband Scott, Debbie Tosi and her husband Art, Dr. Charles Paraboschi and his wife Sherry, Stephanie Paraboschi and her wife, Janet Ciccone, and Steven Paraboschi and his wife Marci; and many treasured great-nieces and great-nephews, extended family, and dear friends. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the people who consistently and altruistically cared for Mom at the end of her life, giving to her what she gave to so many others throughout her life. A special thank you to Patricia and Skip Danner (her friends and neighbors), Amy, Lariza and the staff at Bayada, Mike, John and the staff of St. Luke’s, Monroe, St. Luke’s VNA, and to Danielle Simoes, Darlene Barrios-Johnson, Gissele Mountiho, Shannon Rivera, Cheryl Eash and the rest of the staff at Home Instead.

Relatives and friends are welcome to celebrate Frances on Tuesday, January 14th from 4 - 8 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, January 15th at 10 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 15 Myers Avenue, Denville. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum, 340 Ridge Road, North Arlington. Memorial Donations are being accepted in Fran's memory by way of www.inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation. Two organizations that were near and dear to her heart were the Denville Animal Shelter and the Marcella Fire Department.