Maria Stella Franzese

Maria Stella Franzese, affectionately known as Stella to her friends and loved ones or Nanni to her grandchildren, passed away after a long battle with dementia, surrounded by her family. She was 77 years old.

Born on July 11, 1948, in Menfi, Sicily, to Giovanni Batista Garufi and Antonia Garufi. The youngest of five children, Stella emigrated to America with her parents and siblings Nick (Nicolo), Phil (Felice), Angelina (Angie) and Gaetana (Gae) to Brooklyn, New York, at the age of three.

Stella graduated from Bushwick High School in 1965 and soon after met and married her husband Frank upon his return from deployment in Vietnam. They started their family in Queens with Debbie and Frank and soon after settled in their permanent home in Baldwin Harbor, Nassau County with the birth of Adrienne. The youngest, Priscilla, was born 10 years later to complete the family that she devoted her life to.

As an adult she enrolled in college and after staying home to raise her children, entered the workforce where she rose through the ranks in Property Management, showcasing her hard working, determined and strong abilities to provide for herself and her family.

Stella is survived by siblings Phil (Patricia) Garufi and Gae (Alan) Weissmeier and predeceased by Nick (Ellen) Garufi and Angelina (Anthony) Macaluso. She is also survived by her children Debbie, Frank (Mable), Adrienne (Angelo) and Priscilla. Grandchildren Dominick, Angelo, Angelina, Frankie, Stella, Cassandra and Frankie.

Stella will be remembered for her deep devotion to her family, her selfless acts, hardworking drive and radiant smile. Her perfectly groomed signature red hair and lipstick and perfectly manicured nails were some of the small details that defined her classy elegance that will forever live in our hearts.

Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched, especially her children and grandchildren who she raised.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations be made in memory of Maria Stella Franzese to Dementia Society of America using the link below:  https://www.weremember.com/maria-stella-franzese/1i3x/memories

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