Frieda L. Ligrani, 95, passed away peacefully from this life on August 14, 2018. Frieda was born November 21, 1922 to Carmino and Katherine Phillips in Grand Junction, Colorado, as the eldest of three sisters. Her given name at birth was Furtunata Filicetti, but the family later changed their last name, and Furtunata became Frieda Lucille Phillips. She was always very proud of her Italian heritage, and spoke fluent Italian in conversations with family and friends.
Frieda graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1942. Shortly thereafter, she met the love and light of her life, Roxy J. Ligrani, who christened her with the nickname “McGee”. They exchanged vows in 1947 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Their love story endured until the final chapter, 58 years later, with Roxy’s passing in 2005. They had two sons, Jerry and Lawrence Ligrani, both of whom were her pride and joy. After Frieda’s husband passed away, her sons moved her to Denver where they could care for her and visit her daily.
Frieda was a force of nature, raising two sons, keeping her home spotless, helping her husband on the farm, and working a job in Medical Records at St. Mary’s Hospital, where she retired from after 15 years. She loved to bake Italian cookies and candies at Christmas for the family celebration, and a generous assortment of cakes, breads, and other desserts the rest of the year. She canned and froze much of their farm’s bounty, roasted bushels of chili peppers each autumn, and made jellies and jams from the fresh fruit so prevalent in the Grand Valley. She took pleasure not only in sharing all she had made, but also in the elated reactions from those who received her famous Chocolate Kahlua Cake, platefuls of pizzelles, or jars of pickles or peaches.
A lifelong and devout Catholic, Frieda volunteered many hours at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, making food for funeral lunches, folding bulletins, and distributing holy communion as a Eucharistic Minister. It was not uncommon to walk through her house and see lighted candles as she petitioned God to keep her family safe in their travels, or to see her fervent prayers as she clutched her rosary beads or read her prayer cards.
Frieda most enjoyed the visits from her four grandchildren, Roxy, Jarrod, Josephine, and Katherine Ligrani. She was thrilled when she finally welcomed her great-grandchildren, Leo Rock, Luca Roc, and Lucille Rose Ligrani, and Taya Hale.
Frieda is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roxy J. Ligrani; and her younger sister, Georgie Dennis. She is survived by sons, Jerry (Charlene) and Lawrence Ligrani; youngest sister, Rose Heinrich; grandchildren, Roxy (Kelly) Ligrani, Jarrod (Annie) Ligrani, Josephine Ligrani, and Katherine Ligrani Hale (Anthony); four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 22, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, with a recitation of the rosary following at 7:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 23, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, followed by interment at Orchard Mesa Cemetery.
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