Frances Grossetti Antoniazzi passed away on February 18 at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, N.J.
She was born on February 13, 1924, at home on Trescut Hill, East Canaan, Connecticut. She was the daughter of the late Arcangelo and Maria Villa Grossetti. The family resided in Torrington, Conn., and Great Barrington, Mass., before moving to Glendale in 1936. Her parents were caretakers on the Lyman Beecher Stowe estate at the Dugway. Frances attended Stockbridge Plain School and graduated from the former Williams High School, Class of 1941. During World War II she was employed by General Electric in Pittsfield. She also worked for the Oliver Kempton Insurance in Stockbridge and Dr. Donald Campbell. She also worked for Frederick Brandi in South  Egremont and was employed for more than 20 years at the Stockbridge Plain School.
At the age of 48, Frances went to nursing school and graduated from the Pittsfield Vocational School of Nursing Class of 1972 with honors. After graduation, she did private duty for Norman Rockwell, Percy Musgrave, Gabriella Sedgwick, Margaret French Cresson and William Gibson. She went on to be employed at Fairview Hospital retiring after 32 years of service in the emergency room, medical surgical floor and ICU-CCU.
Frances volunteered at Elder Services, Christian Center, Talbot Center Swap Shop, the Stockbridge Visitors Booth and the local food bank. She was a member of the Southern Berkshire Medical Corps, and the Republican Town Committee. She was a charter member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Glendale Fire department, and a voting clerk in Stockbridge. She was elected to the Stockbridge Housing Board for five years and served as treasurer. She was past president of the American Legion Auxiliary of West Stockbridge. She traveled extensively with the Mockingbirds Travel Club and vacationed in Florida for the month of February for more than 20 years. Frances enjoyed dancing, family gatherings, making homemade ravioli at Christmas, playing bingo and was a devoted fan of the N.Y. Yankees and UCONN basketball.
She was predeceased by her husband, Cornelius, having been married for 66 years. They were high school sweethearts. He died on Feb. 28 2010. She was also predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Rose Antoniazzi and husband Guerrino, and Louise and her husband Victor Spadaccini; one brother, Primo Grossetti; Â and her nephew Bruce Antoniazzi and brother in law Peter Antoniazzi.
She is survived by her daughter Karen (husband William C. Mitchell) of Glen Rock, N.J. and son David Antoniazzi (wife Maryann) of Parkland, Fla.; five grandchildren: James (Tracy) of Glen Rock, N.J., Â Jonathan (Danielle) of Franklin Lakes, N.J., Jeffrey of Glen Rock N.J., Gina Maria Antoniazzi of Torrington, Conn., and Matthew Antoniazzi (Amanda) of Torrington, Conn. Five great grandchildren: Colin and Lindley Mitchell, Derek and Aidan Mitchell, and Abigail Ann Antoniazzi. She leaves one niece MaryAnn Antoniazzi and four nephews: Paul Antoniazzi, and Mark, Peter and Joe Grossetti.
Funeral Services for Frances Antoniazzi who died February 18, will be held on Monday, February 23 with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Stockbridge. Burial will follow at St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Housatonic. Family will receive friends on Sunday February 22, from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy in Frances’ memory may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association in care of the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME or to one’s favorite charity. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
