Francesca M. (Catella) Pessotti

Mrs. Francesca M. (Catella) Pessotti,69, of Milford MA, died Saturday (July 20, 2019) in Harwichport MA at her summer residence after a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her loving family and passed the way she lived, with dignity and grace. She was the beloved wife of Peter J. Pessotti.

Francesca was born in Boston MA, the only child of the late F. Laurie Catella and the late Phyllis (Moriarty) Catella.

Francesca is survived by her devoted husband of thirty-nine years, Peter, and their two children:  Lauren (Pessotti) McCabe, and her husband Steven and their son Chase of Wellesley MA and Andrew Pessotti and his wife Angelica (Torres) Pessotti (Francesca’s Godchild) of West Roxbury MA. Also surviving is her brother-in-law, Joseph Pessotti of Hopedale MA. She also leaves behind her nephew Marc Pessottiand his wife Brittany (Bertulli) and their three children and her niece Jaclyn and her husband Gene and their daughter. She also leaves behind many very dear loving cousins and friends.

She was pre-deceased by her sister-in-law: Susan Pessotti and her two cousins, Cynthia (Moriarty) Schiver and Noel DeMattia.

After graduating from Milford High School, Class of 1968, Francesca attended Regis College in Weston MA. She graduated from Springfield College , magna cum laude, in 1972 and later received her master’s degree from Worcester State University.

Francesca began her teaching career Memorial Elementary School and eventually taught at both Woodland and Brookside elementary schools in Milford as well. Whether teaching first, third or fourth grades she made a positive impact on all of her students as evidenced by all of the notes of well wishes she received from her many students during her illness.

In 2005 Francesca received the Senator Louis P. Bertonazzi Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, an award for which she was very proud. She retired in 2010.

Following in her father’s footsteps, she became involved in raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She participated in many Columbus Day telethons wher much money was raised for such a worthy cause. Later, with many of her family members and friends as supporters, she participated in the research

Hospital’s walk-a-thon, held here in Milford.

During her free time, Francesca enjoyed reading, shopping trips and lunches with her friends. She was an average knitter, but certainly enjoyed the company of the “Common Threads, her knitting group for nearly twenty years.

Most important to Francesca and Peter was the special loving relationship that they shared with their children. Whether it was a family game night attending their sporting events, skiing, camping, summers at the Cape or their trips to Italy, in zest, they were always so happy to spend their time together.

With the birth of their grandson, Chase in 2010, came new blessings. From babysitting as an infant to watching him score his first hit on the ball field, he had become the sunshine of their lives. All in all, Francesca would say she had been blessed in this life.

Her funeral will be held Wednesday (July 24th) at 9am from the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (UPPER CHURCH), 7 East Main Street, Milford MA. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Milford MA. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday from 4pm to 7pm. Visit www.edwardsmemorialfuneralhome.com for complete obituary & condolence book.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN  38105-9959.

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