Obituary of Tina Frangiamone

Long time Burlington resident Tina I. Frangiamone, a homemaker and electronics’ technician, passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside on Monday morning, April 29, 2013. She was 86 years old. Tina was born in Boston, the daughter of the late Francesco (Frank) and Mary Oddi. She grew up and was educated in Boston where she met and married Matteo “Matty” Frangiamone and they made their home in East Boston and Saugus before settling down in Burlington in 1967. Tina had worked as an electronics technician at M/A-Com in Burlington for over 10 years but her primary profession was that of homemaker. Tina was a devoted wife to her husband Matty for 42 years and she was a caring and protective mother to her children and a very proud grandmother. Tina’s home was her pride and joy as she loved to entertain family and friends and was particularly fond of Sunday dinners. Tina celebrated the Italian lifestyle and she greatly enjoyed the music of Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Dean Martin. She was a fantastic cook who enjoyed preparing her eggplant parmesan being one of her signature dishes. Her home was always open to her children’s friends growing up and she had a rule that no one left her home hungry. She loved being a grandmother and supporting her children as they became parents themselves. She went to baseball and hockey games and was always proud of her children and grandchildren’s achievements. In her later years, Tina found great pleasure being involved in Burlington’s Council on Aging. At the COA she volunteered and participated in many of their activities, socials and trips. She loved going to Bingo and Foxwoods with her girlfriends. Tina was the beloved wife of the late Matteo “Matty” Frangiamone. She was the loving mother of Carla Lynch & her husband John of Wilmington, Sandra Enxing & her husband Hugh of Nashua, NH, and the late Matthew Frangiamone & his wife Nancy of Wrentham. She was the proud grandmother of Hugh Matthew Enxing & his wife Sarah of Medford, Joshua Enxing of Nashua, NH, J.T. Lynch of Wilmington, and Nicholas Frangiamone of Wrentham. She was the sister of Michael Oddi of Everett, Margaret D’Arcangelo of Wakefield, Theresa Iannaco of Everett, Fred Franciosa & Rose Sisti both of FL, the late Donato Oddi, Susie Petrigno, Tony Oddi, and Ralph Franciosa. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday, May 2 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at Noon. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Tina’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or www.alzmass.org. Family Remembrance by Carla My family and I want to thank all of you for being here today to celebrate the life of our mom, Tina Frangiamone. I honestly do not know how I can adequately describe our mom with words but I will try. She lived her life in the most positive way and she saw the good in everything and everybody. Her actions and the example that she showed her children and grandchildren are behaviors that should be emulated by all of us. A good person and a true role model who possessed qualities that helped shape my life. While I am filled with sadness today, I am also thankful for the long and rich life my mother enjoyed and how truly special she was to all of us. My mother cared deeply for everyone she knew, whether you were family, friend or a member of the community. She was always willing to help out someone in need and she had the kindest heart of anyone we knew. Up until recent times, her house was always filled with friends and family where she enjoyed entertaining and preparing Italian meals. Her motto was “the more you ate, the happier she was” and if you were to set foot in the Frangiamome home, well, you had BETTER sit down and eat….and eat, and eat some more. Then came dessert! I am reminded of the many fond memories she has provided to me, my family and friends. Times when she was in better health and her brothers, sisters and their spouses would come to our house to play cards. The house was full of song and laughter as they truly enjoyed each others company. I remember how happy she was at all of our weddings and how thrilled she was to become a grandmother. The joy on her face as the family gathered at Christmas time and the times all of us would gather for Sunday dinner. These are but a few of the many memories I have of my mother. In more recent times, life became more challenging for her but she could still manage to coax a smile from any one who crossed her path. She was well loved by the caring staff at Brightview in Billerica. Every time I would visit, the staff told me how wonderful she was and how they truly enjoyed being with her. Difficult as it may have been at times, I cherished the time we spent together and I know my sister, Sandra feels as I do. A special thanks goes out to our friends @ Brightview for their love and special care they gave to our Mom each and every day. My mother has touched the lives of so many people and even though she is gone, her memory will live on in all of our hearts forever. While part of her is now gone from our lives, her spirit has not left us and never will leave us. We have faith that she will be watching over us and all who were blessed to know her. I have a plaque hanging in my home that was given to me at Mother’s day. It says “Moms are like buttons, they hold things together.” My mom was the button that held our family together for so many years and while I mourn her passing, I am comforted in the knowledge that her life was life well spent with many friends and family. I would like to end by sharing a poem that Sandra and I came across. A mom is a person who's loving and kind. And often she knows what you have on your mind. She's someone who listens, suggests, and defends - - A mom can be one of your very best friends. She's proud of your triumphs, but when things go wrong, a mom can be patient and helpful and strong. In all that you do, a mom's love plays a part - - there's always a place for her deep in your heart. Each year that passes and as time goes by we are more grateful to realize that bond and that tie. We are so very proud to have called you mom. We love you and we will miss you.