Mary C. Smith Fratantonio

 

Calling hours will be from 4-6pm on Sunday, December 9, in Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 10 in the funeral home at 11:00am. Burial will follow in Saint Leos Cemetery in Leominster.



Mary C. (Fratantonio) Smith, 89, of Delray Beach, Florida, formerly of Leominster, MA died peacefully in the company of her loving children after a long illness. She was born in Worcester, MA on May 3, 1929, the youngest daughter to Caesar and Teresa Fratantonio. She graduated from Commerce High School in Worcester, MA in 1948, a Horace Mann Scholar and Honor Roll student. She was the widow of Richard F. Smith who died in 2016, after 47 years of marriage. She is survived by her children; Joseph Martel and wife Shannon of Norfolk, VA, James Martel and wife Ann of Fitchburg, MA, Rick Smith, Jr. of Lunenburg, MA, Jack Martel of Westminster, MA, Kathleen Murray of Delray Beach, FL, Eileen Arsenault and husband John of Lexington, NC, Maureen Normandin of Boynton Beach, FL, Elizabeth Mattero and husband John of Fitchburg, MA, Patricia Healey and husband Bill of Wakefield, MA, and Claudia Tocci and husband Jeff of Leominster, MA. She is also survived by her brother Dominic Fratantonio of Shrewsbury, MA, 30 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and a large number of nieces and nephews. She is also predeceased by her sons, Richard A. Martel, Stephen F. Martel, Michael A. Martel, and granddaughter Nicole Wilson, her brothers, Joseph Fratantonio, Victor Fratantonio, Frank Fratantonio, George Fratantonio, sisters, Connie Burnham, Catherine Goodrow, and Rose Fratantonio.

Mary was always very active, a longtime member of both Oak Hill Country Club and the local YMCA, she enjoyed golf, tennis, and all forms of exercise. She enjoyed being creative, making macramé, and learning new things like bridge. She and Dick traveled the world together and were always happiest in each other’s company. She enjoyed entertaining, hosting many parties and cookouts at the family home in Leominster. Most of all she loved her family, all of it, even in the craziest of times. Married in 1969, she and Dick each took on the job of raising each other’s children, and raised them well. She would always welcome and cherish family visits, marking them with laughter and photos.