Frances R. Carlson

Frances R. (Decaro) Carlson, formerly of Leicester, MA, died Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Notre Dame Healthcare in Worcester. She was born on April 5, 1937 in Worcester, daughter of the late Frank and Sarah (Paladino) Decaro.

Her husband of 47 years, Ivar J. Carlson, Jr. died in 2007. She leaves two sons, Ivar Carlson of Auburn, MA and David Carlson of Scottsdale, AZ; a sister, Rosalyn Consiglio of Shrewsbury, MA and a brother, Frank DeCaro of Worcester, MA; two granddaughters, nieces, nephews, and many close friends.

Frances graduated from Commerce High School in Worcester. She began her career as a bookkeeper at the former London Display and Fixture Company in Worcester when she was 16 and worked there for more than 20 years. She then worked at Lincoln Laboratory in Leicester, for more than 35 years, retiring in 2014.

Frances had a passion for her family, hard work and being among friends. She loved to travel. In addition to taking summer vacations while raising her family, Frances travelled extensively with her husband around the United States and abroad; going on many trips to Sweden to visit her husband’s family and travelled to Italy several times to explore her Italian heritage. Frances was a long-time member of St. Pius X Church in Leicester, a member of the Sons of Italy and a frequent supporter of the Hanover Theatre in Worcester.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 20, at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Road, Worcester. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester.  Visitation prior to Mass will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester.

Donations may be made in Frances’ name to Notre Dame Long Term Care, 559 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605.