Obituary

Patricia DeFranco, nee Kelly, passed away peacefully on July 9th 2023. Patricia was abeloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend to those that knew her.

Patricia was born on Staten Island to William Arthur Kelly of County Mayo and Nina Kelly of County Meath on June 3rd, 1935. She was raised in New Dorp with her sisters Joan (Robert) Hobson, Janice (Robert) Bossert, and Eileen (George) Orlando and resided in New Dorp for the entirety of her life.

Patricia attended and graduated from New Dorp High School, after which she took a secretarial job in Manhattan for Ingersoll Rand. She was a Parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace. Patricia was active in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Parent Teacher Club. At the school she volunteered countless hours helping children improve their reading skills.

In 1956, Patricia married Dominic “Dan” DeFranco. Together they raised 5 children: David DeFranco, Doreen (Jim) Amberger, Steven (Lynne) DeFranco, Diane (Rob) Marolla, and Kenneth (Ann Marie) DeFranco. Patricia was blessed with twelve grandchildren: Jimmy, Danny, Michael, David, Michael, Nicholas, Kelly, Dan, Claire, Luke, Christopher, and Mark, as well as three great-grandchildren: Daniel, Violet, and Ciara.

For more than a decade Patricia was dedicated to coaching the 5th & 6th grade girls Our Lady Queen of Peace CYO Softball Team. In 1971, Patricia & Dan became members of the 1718 Bungalow Colony in the Catskills where they forged lifetime friendships that have spanned generations.

On July 9th 1984, Patricia was predeceased by her eldest son, Firefighter David DeFranco of Rescue 2, who at the age of 26 died in a scuba diving accident. In 1996, Patricia was predeceased by her husband of forty years, Dan, who at the time was Sergeant of Arms for the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association.

Patricia’s legacy is that of a life well spent. She had a great sense of humor and a common sense approach to life. It was her nature to share kindness with all she met.

Patricia enjoyed time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren. Whenever possible she loved to travel with friends. She was also an avid Yankee fan and enjoyed all types of puzzles.

Visitation is Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 from 3:00 - 8:00PM at Hanley Funeral Home, 60 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, NY 10306. Funeral Mass is on Thursday, July 13th, 2023 at 9:30AM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 61 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island, New York 10306.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Thomas R. Elsasser Fund care of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

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