Frances Josephine Avanzino

Pacific Grove ~ Frances Josephine Avanzino, age 88, was surrounded by family when she peacefully entered into rest at 5 PM on May 15, 2014. Fran was born on July 31, 1925 in San Francisco to Angelo and Speranza Grech. She graduated from Commerce High School in San Francisco and attended classes at the College of San Mateo. She married Edward “Ed” Michael Avanzino in 1948. They were married for 56 years when he passed in 2004.

Fran was a secretary at the Federal Reserve Bank and a real estate agent for eight years. Later, Frances ran the office of a manufacturing company she owned with her husband and son, Ed. But the greatest honor of her life was being a stay-at-home mom to her five children. They were her proudest accomplishment. Fran and her husband, Ed, lived in San Francisco, Daly City, San Mateo and San Carlos before retiring to Pacific Grove in 1993.

Throughout her life, Fran volunteered with many organizations including the Suicide Prevention Center in San Mateo, and was a very active parishioner and volunteer at St. Paul of the Shipwreck in San Francisco, Our Lady of Mercy in Daly City, and St. Angela Merici in Pacific Grove. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

Frances is survived by her children, Nancy (Gary Weber), Ed (Donna), Bob, Ray (Angela), and Sue (Mark Dreyer); her grandchildren Scott (Adrienne), Brian (Shelli), Jessica and Rachel; her great-grandchildren Darren and Camryn; her sister, Anita Blai; her brother, Joseph Grech; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Edward; her parents, Angelo and Speranza; her brothers, Charles and Louis; and her grandson, Joshua.

Frances will be remembered for her devotion to faith, her appreciation of nature and her talents as a chef, but most importantly of all, she will be remembered as a most loving mother.

Visitation will take place at The Paul Mortuary, 390 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 Wednesday, May 21 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM with a vigil beginning at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 22 at 11 AM at St. Angela’s Merici, 146 8th St, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. Entombment will follow at San Carlos Catholic Cemetery in Monterey. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org) or the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). To sign Fran’s guest book and leave messages for her family, please visit www.thepaulmortuary.com.