Obituary of Frances Elizabeth Cretella

We celebrate the beautiful life of Frances Elizabeth Cretella, 85, who passed away peacefully on July 23rd, 2023, in her home surrounded by her loving family. Frances was born to the late Anthony and Elizabeth Faustine on May 21, 1938.  She was the beautiful bride of 65 years to the love of her life, Andrew Cretella.

She is survived by her two sisters, Elaine Ceccarelli and Geri Nesline. In addition to her beloved husband, survivors include their four loving children, Theresa Cretella of California, Michael Cretella (Anna) of Monroe, CT, Lisa Epifano (Joseph) of Trumbull, CT and Andrea Schmitt (Stephen) of Port Jefferson, NY, ten cherished grandchildren, Michael Cretella, Jr. (Jennifer), Elissa Cretella Ranney (Taylor), Kristen Cretella, Leah Cretella, Colin Dempsey (Marissa), Tara Tietjen (Joel), Matthew Dempsey, Nicholas, Casey and Jessica Schmitt, and her adored six great grandchildren, Andrew, Kailani and Clara Cretella, Sawyer Ranney, Benjamin and Aiden Tietjen, along with many cherished family and close friends.

Fran and Andy resided in Trumbull for many years and then retired to their beachfront paradise in Jupiter, Florida.   Fran lived for her family.  She loved to cook and pass down her many Italian specialties and conducted cooking classes with her grandchildren and friends.  She made every holiday a special feast to be savored.  She enjoyed relaxing on the beach in Jupiter, and traveling with her husband - all with style, glamour and flair!  She was an avid reader, loved to crochet and garden, wrote beautiful calligraphy and was a competitive game player. Her favorite of all time was singing and dancing with the love of her life!!

Fran had a beautiful angelic voice, was a member of the church choir and was a Eucharistic Minister for many years. She will be remembered by her devout Catholic Faith, her close devotion to the blessed Mother Mary and faithfully recited the rosary daily.  Her special love and warm hugs and kisses will be greatly missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren…until we meet again.

Visitation will be held at Abriola Parkview Funeral Home on Thursday, July 27th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT. A celebration of life will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Trumbull, CT on Friday, July 28th at 10:00 a.m. Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fran's memory to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital 510 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org or to the charity of your choice.