Frances Anselmo

Frances Anselmo was born in Castagnassa, a small village just outside of Rocchetta Tanaro, Italy. She passed away peacefully with her children, grand daughter and great grand daughter by her side on July 17, 2012. She was buried on July 23, 2012, in the same crypt with her husband who died in 1993.

Her love for Italy and for her family still residing there never faltered -- they were always foremost in her thoughts and in her prayers. Her trip to Italy to see her family in 1995 was one of the major highlights of her life. The Italian Catholic Federation and the Bosconerese Society of Los Angeles enjoyed the benefit of many years of her loyal membership as a tribute to her homeland.

Mom's compassion and love for not only human-kind but for animals, as well, meant there was usually a stray cat or two at the house including Blackie, the cat who is currently wandering around the house looking for his "human." The underdog and the oppressed were always under her watchful eye, as well. She knew that she had been blessed with a fortunate life and relished being able to give back, within reason, to those were were not quite so lucky, but were willing to do what it took to help themselves. In addition, she spent a good portion of her life as an advocate for other family members who had health and/or financial issues making sure they were as well taken care of as they could possibly be.

She never liked being on display and preferred to keep a low profile, but her family, friends and neighbors knew that when they needed help or someone to rise to the occasion, Mom would be the one to call -- they just knew they could always depend on her. Being independent and self-sufficient were important to her, and although she wasn't quite so ready to ask for help when she needed it, she was always there for others.

Keeping her family loved, educated, well fed, financially secure and safe were her primary goals. She eventually decided that some of those goals might be of benefit to herself so in later years she took up oil painting and English composition writing, as well as having already mastered being an accomplished seamstress, excellent cook and organic gardener. Many of her oil paintings adorn her home, and they will no doubt be items of contention in "who is going to get what painting" amongst her family members!

She spent many years involved with various Senior Citizen and St. Bernard Church groups -- going on bus trips, being an active member in the Glassell Park Seniors and Eagle Vista Seniors as well as participating in Church activities such as the Altar Society at St. Bernard's Church. A very special thank you to both Glassell Park and Eagle Vista Senior Groups for your dedications and kind words for our Mom. Likewise, Father Perry Leiker's presentation at Mom's funeral Mass at St. Bernard's and at the burial at Forest Lawn was eloquent and touching.

Words can't even begin to describe how much we will miss her. Yes, everyone on this planet goes through this at some time or another. Everyone reading this will have lost their mother and/or father at some point -- of worse yet a child, which is what some of my friends have had to endure -- yet, that doesn't make it any easier for those of us going through it now.

If anyone is a candidate for sainthood, Frances Anselmo is right up there with the best of them. She certainly is my patron saint, guide and mentor.

Please be patient with our grief ----

Entered by Evelyn Case on August 1, 2012