Francesca "Frances" Cammarata

Francesca Maria, known as Frances, was born in 1937 in Brooklyn, New York to Ignazio and Gaetana Milazzo. Her radiance and beauty attracted the interest of Frank Cammarata, and after courtship, they were married in 1957.

Frances dedicated her life to raising a family. She was instructive, supportive and devoted to teaching right from wrong. She worked hard to make sure everything was in place and just right for her family. Clothing was washed and ironed, shoes polished, shelves stocked, house was in order, and all were nurtured. She was tireless and had boundless energy. She put others first, over her own well-being, and expected nothing in return.

After her three children, Joseph, James and Frances, had grown, Frances immersed herself in the activities of the Church, as a volunteer, with the same vigor and dedication she had devoted to her family. She worked selfishly to benefit those in need. She was a catechist teaching religious education to public school students. She was a lector in Mass. She practiced the readings before delivering them and made sure she knew the pronunciation of the names of even the remotest of Bible figures. Her volunteer work also included working in the food pantry, participating in “Pasta Sundays” by not only preparing the food, but also serving it and of course cleaning up. Frances was involved in raising money for the Church by working in the church bazaar. She also made Christmas baskets for unwed mothers, filled with baby clothes she had purchased.

Later in life, Frances had the courage to learn to play violin. While she did not play in any public concerts, she was proud to show her family how she had progressed on her journey. It was great! Frances could also be seen, if you kept your eyes out, driving on the streets of Brooklyn in her red Trans Am with black leather seats.

Frances was a ”force of nature”-passionate in what she did and how she did it. She was not a quitter.

Although Frances had a rough last seven years of her life after fracturing her hip in a fall, she had the will to keep going despite her deteriorating health. She had a home health aide, Maia, who treated Frances as if she were her own mother.

In the end, she opened her eyes, gazed off into the distance and smiled before finally retiring to a peaceful place.

Frances is survived by her devoted husband Frank of 67 years, her three children, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, The Cammarata Family asks that donations be made to one of the following charities:

God's Love We Deliver

Alzheimer's Foundation

St. Simon & Jude Roman Catholic Church

A visitation for Frances will be held Sunday, March 9, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home, 2005 West 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223. A funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, March 10, 2025 from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM at Church of Sts. Simon & Jude, 185 Van Sicklen St, Brooklyn, NY 11223. Interment to follow in St. Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735.