Frances M. DonAroma

Frances DonAroma, aged 88, died peacefully on May 25, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. Frances was born on June 10, 1924, in New Britain, Connecticut, the daughter of Arthur and Eleanor LaBarge. Her siblings, Emma Wichrowski, Rita Ostertag and Jack LaBarge, predecease her.

For Frances, family was at the core of her existence. While raising her three daughters, Frances worked at WT Grants in New Britain to support her children’s participation in school events and to host a celebration for every milestone in their lives as if it were her own. Later in life, she was most proud of seeing her daughters receive Master’s degrees, an opportunity not afforded to her during her youth as she left high school to work in a factory to support her family during the Depression.

In 1944, Frances married her childhood sweetheart Edward DonAroma who passed away in 1985. Together they instilled values of love and compassion by opening their doors to those in need and their hearts to family, friends and strangers. Frances was passionate in her relationships with others, so much so that they made her the “hugger” in welcoming new members to the Senior Center in Plainville. An endearing picture of her hugging another Senior was featured in the New Britain Herald not too long ago.

During Frances’ final days, her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their partners in life, surrounded her at bedside. One of the nurses at the Hospital of Central Connecticut broke down in tears as she expressed her sentiments of never having witnessed such an outpouring of love.

Her children Gloria and John Graham, Kathleen DonAroma, Pamela DonAroma and Dan Hayden survive Frances. As well as her grandchildren, James and A.J. Kras, Alison and Neal Burton, Lindsay Jenkelunas, Valerie Nightengale, P.J. Jenkelunas, Molly Morgan, Lauren Jenkelunas, Emily Hayden, Bryan Babula, Christine Hayden and Peter Keane.

Relatives and friends may call on Frances’ family Thursday Evening from 5:00-8:00 PM and Friday Morning at 9:30 A.M. at New Britain Memorial – Donald D. Sagarino Funeral Home, 444 Farmington, Ave, New Britain. Directions ( Exit 37 off I- 84 take a right at the exit, 1 ½ miles on your right) A procession will form at 10:30 AM to Saint Jerome’s Church, Slater Rd. New Britain, where a Mass of Christian Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, burial will follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Good Cause Gifts, 384 Main Street, Berlin, CT. 06037.

To share a memory with the family please go to www.newbritainsagarino.com