On January 18, 2011, our beloved mother, Frances Mary Poleto (Lupo), left this earth to join her Lord and Savior. She passed away at home in Anaheim, California, with her loving family around her. She was 88 years old.
Frances was born in 1922 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Santo and Coradina Lupo. In 1948 she married her sweetheart, Carl Poleto. Together they perfected their fish and chips recipe and opened their own restaurant. After Carl’s early death from a heart attack when Frances was 40, Frances moved her two young children to Los Angeles and supported them by working as an IBM keypunch operator. She worked for thirty years in that industry and after retirement she enjoyed art, music and dance. Leaving behind some beautiful paper toile paintings that she loved to make for her family. In 1980 she moved back to Canada to be close to her daughter and new grandchildren in Calgary, Alberta, spending time in Toronto until the passing of her mother and then also joining her daughter and family in White Rock, BC in 1991. Frances returned to California in 2002 until her passing.
Frances loved people and made new friends everywhere she went. She served in her church as a greeter, volunteered at care homes, and loved the seniors’ events at Brookhurst Community Center, especially the dances that allowed her to wear fun costumes and greet everyone with kisses. She was a sweet, generous woman with a smile for everyone. She never met a baby she didn’t want to kiss and cuddle. She loved to sparkle. Sequins, jewelry, and glittering fingernails–she sported them all at the same time. She loved baseball games, fish and chips, and gangster movies.
She was her grandkids’ biggest fan and sat in the front row at every one of her grandson’s concerts as long as she was able. When she wasn’t at concerts or dances, she could be found cheering on her favorite teams, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Anaheim Ducks, or taking in the sights and sounds with her family at the Happiest Place on Earth. She was honored to be made an Honorary Citizen of Disneyland in September of 2010.
Frances is survived by sister Betty Capotosto; daughter Christina Williams (Grady) of Anaheim, California; son Richard Poleto (Patrice) of Simi Valley, California; grandchildren Christopher Williams (Sharone), Carina Greer (Paul), and Anthony Poleto; and great-grandchildren Mason and Ezra Greer.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.” We invite you to join us in celebrating our dearly loved Frances and to celebrate her life and cherish her memory.
Memorial Service held Saturday, February 5th at 10:00 A.M. at Crescent South Baptist Church, 622 North Gilbert Street, Anaheim, CA with reception following. The graveside service is at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, August 13th, Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery, 305 Erskine, Toronto Canada with a luncheon following.
In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations can be made to the Frances Poleto Memorial Fund at www.elevatedtoexcellence.org.