Franca Paladino

Franca (Devena) Paladino, 89 of Worcester formerly of Rome, Italy, passed away on Saturday, November 17, 2012 in her home surrounded by her family. Franca is survived by her devoted husband of fifty-nine years, Angelo J. "Bebo" Paladino; her son, Robert Paladino of Shrewsbury; her two daughters, Rosanna Paladino-Swillo of Worcester and Patricia Bertrand of Tamarack, FL; a brother, Walter Devena of Rome, Italy; five adored grandchildren, Erica Burke of Medford, Sara Swillo of Worcester, John Paladino of St. Louis, MS, Emily Bertrand of Mashpee and Rachael Paladino of Shrewsbury; many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Andrea Searah; a son-in-law, Randolph F. Swillo; a brother, Ferdinando Devena and a sister, Rina Cristallo. Franca was born in Rome, Italy, a daughter of the late Marzio and Viola Devena. She graduated from Mount Carmel Parochial School in Italy and studied music at the Rome Music Conservatory. She later moved to Worcester and has lived here for fifty-nine years. Franca was primarily a devoted mother and grandmother but worked as a Nursing Assistant for Worcester City Hospital for twelve years before she retired in 1983. She was a member of St. George Church. Franca was a well-known cook and baker. She sang opera music in both Italy and Worcester and was an avid "Sound of Music" fan. She enjoyed and was very talented in crocheting, knitting and sewing. Franca's greatest enjoyment in life was being a devoted wife and mother but most importantly being an extraordinary nana. The Paladino family would like to thank the many family and friends who have traveled with Franca on her life journey. All of you have enriched Franca's life with your care and love. And to her new friends from the Notre Dame Hospice; thank you for the kindness and peace you brought to her as she neared the end of her journey and to us as we said farewell to our beloved wife, mother and nana. Funeral services for Franca will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Saint John's Cemetery, Worcester. A period of visitation will be held on Monday, November 19th from 4-7 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances in Franca's name can be made to: Notre Dame Pediatric Palliative Care Hospice House, c/o Karen Rizzo, 557 Plantation Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605. To share your thoughts and memories of Franca, please visit her personal guestbook at: mercadantefuneral.com.