Frances Scalise

Frances (Gagliano) Scalise, 94, a life-long resident of Rockford, passed away peacefully at 12:05 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Swedish American Hospital. Frances was born on April 24, 1920 in Rockford, the daughter of Joseph and Theresa Gagliano. She married Alex Scalise on December 30, 1945. He preceded her in death in 2005. She attended Rockford High School and worked at Barber Coleman until she married, at which point she became a full time wife and mother. After the birth of her son, she volunteered at Saint Elizabeth Center. She was a parishioner of Saint James Parish, Rockford and a member of Catholic Society of Foresters, Altar and Rosary Society and Children of Mary. Frances and her husband, attended dancing classes at the YMCA and were fantastic dancers. They were envied by all of their friends when they got on the dance floor. She enjoyed cooking, baking and was known for her gardening skills with plants and flowers, especially Christmas poinsettias, keeping them living well beyond their time. Frances’ family and friends would like to thank the staff at Swedish American Hospital, 9th floor, for their compassionate and loving care they provided Mom during her last days.
Survived by her son, Greg (Betty) Scalise; daughters, Mary Ellen (Amzie) Nash and Theresa Ann Scalise; grandchildren, Michael (Jolie) Scalise of Rockford, Amzie C. (Wendy) Nash of Algonquin, Joseph A. Nash of Napa, CA and Brian (Becky) DeVeirman of Roscoe; great-grandchildren, Mia and Anthony Scalise and Adam DeVeirman and many nieces and nephews. Frances was also preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Vera Guzzardo.
Funeral Mass to celebrate Frances’ life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at St. James Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the Scalise family suggests memorials be made to Frances’ favorite charity, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, assisted the family. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.