Obituary of Frances DiStefano

Frances DiStefano, age 85, of Lebanon Twp., NJ (Hunterdon County) died Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township, NJ. Mrs. DiStefano was born April 19, 1925 in New York City. She was the daughter of the late Arturo and the late Rosalia (Carta) LaVignera. From 2000 through 2009 she was a resident of Glen Gardner, NJ and was previously a longtime resident of Englewood, NJ, where she provided Child Care in her home for many years. Frances was a volunteer at the Hunterdon Art Museum and she was a member of the Italian American Heritage Club of Hunterdon County. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Lia DiStefano of Weehawken and Lebanon Twp., NJ, her sister, Josephine Denys of Carmichael, Calf., her brother, Guy LaVignera of North Vale, NJ, her cherished grandchildren, Susannah Shepherd of Brooklyn, NY and Timothy Shepherd & his wife, Kathy Lu of Roanoke, Va., her cherished great-grandson, Evan Lu Shepherd, her friend, Derwyn Holder and her faithful feline companion, Brewster. She was pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Frank 1966. The Visitation will take place on Saturday, February 26th from 12:00 to 4:00 pm at Martin Funeral Home, 1761 Route 31, Clinton, NJ. There will be a Catholic Prayer Service offered at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 26TH also at the Funeral Home. The Interment will be held privately at St Joseph's Cemetery in Hackensack, NJ. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Northwest NJ Region, 7 Ridgedale Avenue -- Suite 103, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927 or to the Associated Humane Society Program at Popcorn Park, P.O. Box 43, Forked River, NJ 08731-0043