Frances M. “Fran” Grillo, 99, formerly of 1260 North Maple Court, Hornell, died Tuesday, May 19, 2020, following complications resulting from a heart attack. For the last five years she was a resident of Elderwood at Hornell Nursing Facility.
Born in Mount Morris, NY, on March 14, 1921, she was the daughter of Casimer & Ida (Andolina) Gervase. Fran resided in the Hornell area for the past 75 years.
Fran had been employed as food service manager of Alfred State College for about 10 years. She was a member of the Hornell Country Club where she had served on the board of directors. She also served as the Country Club Manager for 6 years.
She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church where she was active in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. She was a member of the St. James Women’s Auxiliary, a St. James volunteer, a member of R.S.V.P., and a former member of the AZB Sorority.
Fran enjoyed hiking, golf, knitting, quilting, and baking, but above all, she enjoyed the love of her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She was married on June 22, 1946 to James J. Grillo who died on March 3, 1993. She was also preceded in death by four brothers, James Gervase, Carmen Gervase, Joseph Gervase & Sam Gervase; one sister, Ida Bonadonna; and her in-laws, Anna Galbo, Peter Grillo, Andy Grillo and Bettina Trapani. Fran was very close to her brother-in-law, Michael Bonadonna, and her sister-in-law, Vera Grillo, who also predeceased her.
Surviving are her two sons, James (Linda) Grillo of Hammondsport, NY, and Robert (Judy) Grillo of Arkport, NY; two grandsons, Tony (Monica) Grillo and Jay (Kristi Shaw) Grillo; one granddaughter, Michelle Grillo (Jesse Harper); six great grandchildren, Otis, Leo, Benjamin, Liliana, Maryn, and Bobby, along with many nieces and nephews. Fran leaves behind her special friend, Dottie Coddington.
The family would like to thank all the nurses and staff at St. James Hospital and especially the staff at Elderwood who took such great care of their mother during her time there.
Due to the Corona Pandemic, there will be no calling hours. A private graveside service will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery at the convenience of the family with Fr. Stan Kacprzak officiating.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Fran’s family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to Our Lady of the Angels Monastery, 3222 County Road 548, Hanceville, AL 35077, or the charity of their choice.
My condolences to the family….Fran has taught me alot in all the years I have been with her..loved her like my family
To Fran’s family: You have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. I enjoyed many a conversation with Fran at Hornell Country Club. Food and recipes were always one of the things discussed by the ladies. She was a”one of a kind”. I missed her after she left the club.
My sympathy to the Grillo family and my thanks for sharing Fran with the Alfred State community. She was a dynamic and memorable character from my early years at the college.
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. She was such a kind and giving lady. She will be missed by the community and anyone who has ever came in contact with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
Please know the children of Emma Loree (a resident of Elderwood for 3 years) offer our sincere sympathy at the passing of your Mom, grandma, great-grandma and aunt. Fran was a sweet, feisty, friendly lady we loved to talk with whenever we visited our Mom, Emma. Fran and Mom worked together for 25 years on the St. James Auxiliary and had a great mutual respect for one another. Fran was always “good for” a story about one of her grandchildren and especially looked forward to any time she could “get out of Elderwood” and visit with family and friends. She could be found in the Chapel praying, getting ice from the ice machine in the dining room or sharing great books she had read. She always brought a smile and a laugh when telling a story of what was going on, what she had been “ up to” and how to make the meals better at Elderwood. She will be greatly missed and we feel blessed to have gotten to know her.
My condolences to the Fran’s family. I haven’t seen Fran in several years. I came to know her through the Adoration Chapel at Our Lady of the Valley Parish. I spent may hours with her there on a Saturday afternoon during my chapel time.
We often spoke about family, mine and hers. She loved her family and would tell me many stories about them. She amazed me with her faith and her wisdom. I can still see the rosaries and prayer cards that she displayed on the chair beside her when she was in the chapel. She provided snacks to my granddaughter when I would bring her to the chapel with me. She would tell me about the times she spent in Florida, and how she got about by driving a golf cart around. I was surprised when she showed me her tattoo that she had done to mark one of her birthdays. I know she was immensely proud of the her family and that they will truly miss her.
Bob, Judy and family. My deepest condolences, I’ll be rr. This is a hard thing losing your mom. God bless you all.