Adele Lena DiFrancesco

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Adela Lena DiFrancesco (née Maulucci), who passed peacefully on August 30, 2026, at the age of 101, knowing and feeling the love of her family.

Adela was the beloved wife of the late Luigi DiFrancesco, who passed away in 2004. She was the loving mother of Adela (the late Fred) Popering, Louis (Mindy) DiFrancesco, Maria Flacco (Harry), and the late Joseph.

Adela devoted her life to her family and took great pride in raising her children and caring for those she loved. She was also a talented seamstress, a skill she enjoyed throughout her life. A woman of deep faith, Adela was a longtime parishioner of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, where she found comfort and strength throughout her life.

Family was always at the centre of Mom’s life. She was blessed to have her siblings close by, Filomena (Emanuel), Marie (George), and Tony (Cecilia), as well as her siblings in Italy, Vincenzo (Millie) and Carmelina. She was dearly loved by her many nieces and nephews. Some of our most treasured memories are of birthdays, Sunday picnics, family gatherings, laughter, and celebrations. Mom loved having everyone together and treasured those special times with her family.

She was a beloved Nonna to Krista (Bill), Philip, Claudia (Kyle), and Lauren (Jesse), and a loving great-grandmother to William, Andrew, Rory, Knox, and Arlo. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her immense joy, and she treasured the special bond she shared with each of them.

In the months she spent at Willow’s Retirement Home, Adela was deeply loved by the staff who cared for her. Our family will always be grateful for the kindness, compassion, and warmth they showed our mother.

Adela lived an extraordinary 101 years, leaving behind a legacy of love, family, faith, strength, and devotion. Mom, your love brought our family together, and that love will live on through your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

You gave us a lifetime of love.

You gave us a lifetime of memories.

And you will remain in our hearts forever.

Rest peacefully, Mom. We love you, we miss you, and we will carry your memory with us always.

Funeral Arrangements

Benner Funeral Services, 1105 Benner Avenue, Fort Erie, has been entrusted with the arrangements.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 3, from 2–4 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. There will be no visitation on Friday.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, with burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

In Adela’s memory, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.