Frances Joan Di Rienzo

Frances Joan Di Rienzo 1924-2014 Frances Joan Di Rienzo died June 19, 2014. Born Frances Joan Grosso on Oct. 4, 1924, in Woodbury, Pennsylvania, to Rocco and Concetta Grosso, she was the fourth child in a family of five. Raised in Gibbstown, New Jersey, in a large Italian/Sicilian community, she knew the importance of family at an early age. She graduated from Paulsboro High School in 1942, and still kept in touch with her classmates over the years. She attended nursing school in New York City, and while in training at Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital, she met her husband-to-be, Dr. George Di Rienzo, who was in residence at the same hospital. They ended up in Japan during George’s military assignment during the Korean War and that is where her first two children were born. Returning to the states, they settled in California and finally in the Napa Valley in 1953. By 1956, all five children were born and home became a large and wonderful house on Garfield Lane. Frances lost her beloved George in 1958 and began her solo journey of raising her children. She put her nose to the grindstone and forged ahead with the task of raising children and providing for them. In the 1970s, Frances decided that a college degree would be beneficial, even though she had her nursing credentials already. While working at the Queen of the Valley, she began attending the College of Holy Names in Oakland and then on to Sonoma State University. She successfully finished her BA in nursing at Sonoma, shortly before her youngest child was out of high school. With the kids now raised, Frances set out on the second part of her life journey, travelling and working around the world. She took a position in Saudi Arabia, which allowed her to travel to all the places that she had only read about. After 11 more years of work and following her dreams of travel, Frances retired and came back to the Napa Valley. She missed traveling, but settled down anyway, first in Napa, and then in St. Helena. In 2007, she lost her son Thomas, and from that point on, she spent every day of the next seven years with one or more of her children, who took care of her until her death. She is survived by her children, George Di Rienzo, Robert Di Rienzo, Janeen Di Rienzo and James; and daughter-in-laws, Geri Di Rienzo, Ramona Maassen and Julia Di Rienzo. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Frank, Connie, Darrell, Jeffery and Jason; great-granddaughter Leah; and great-grandsons Brayden and Timmy; her sister, Josephine Dreelin; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, George; her son, Thomas; her mother and father, Rocco and Concetta; her brother, Phillip; and sisters Sally and Angie. The family wishes to thank Frances’ daughter, Janeen, for the wonderful care she gave to her mother in the last year and a half of her life. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to: Whiskers, Tails and Ferals, 1370 Trancas St. # 206, Napa, CA 94558, 707-258-2287, wtandf@aol.com; or Napa Valley Hospice, 414 South Jefferson St., Napa, CA 94559, 707-258-9084.

Frances Joan Di Rienzo

October 4, 1924 - June 19, 2014

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Frances Joan Di Rienzo

October 4, 1924 - June 19, 2014

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