Frances Lamagra Petrocci

Frances LaMagra Petrocci, 97 of Jersey City, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at her home. Born in Bayonne, to the late Salvatore LaMagra & Mary Martarano, she was a lifelong Jersey City resident. There is a wonderful story to be told about her life filled with love, laughter, and maybe even a little magic. It’s a happy tale of a mom, mother and wife who raised six children in a home in the Greenville section along with her husband of 75 years Anthony Petrocci. Frances lived a life of giving, forgiving, and sharing those things that make people feel wanted. She was the center of the family in a house that was filled with fun and the scents of delicious food cooking in the kitchen. A great cook, she whipped up big Italian meals and always fed anyone who came through the door, whether you were hungry or not. Her house (and kitchen) was always open and she welcomed all – family, friends and friends of friends. Apron on and wooden spoon in hand was a uniform she wore proudly. Genuine hospitality was certainly not a weakness. If Frances had a weakness it was for animals. She loved animals, any animals, but especially dogs. She was always quick to invite people who passed by the porch to bring their dogs up so she could pet them. And the animals seemed know she had a good heart to match her enthusiasm. Truly she was well named -- St. Francis must have been proud of his Jersey City emissary. Besides cooking, animals, and hugging her children and grandchildren, Frances also loved the opera and had season tickets to the Metropolitan Opera at the Lincoln Center in NYC for many years. Over the years she was also active in local social organizations including having served as a member of St. Paul’s Rosary Society, a cub scout den mother, past president of the Marist Mothers Alumni Club, and as a St. Paul’s School Teacher Aide in the 1980’s. Frances and her husband loved to travel. Their trips included South and West US, Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and China. Later hobbies included reading, crossword puzzles, listening to opera, and always praying the rosary. Frances has now gone to the place where she has always wanted to be, in heaven, joining all those people (and pets) who were part of her life and have gone before her. She will always be remembered as a loving wife and mom, grand mom and great grand mom and a generous friend to all who were lucky to have known her. Frances will be missed by not only her loving husband Anthony Petrocci, but also her 6 children; Francine Fugaro (Nick), Judy Petrocci (David), Rosemarie Cordeaux (Raoul), Ted Petrocci (Karen), Charlie Petrocci (Maria) and Anthony “Antone” Petrocci (Marilyn), special daughter in-law- Linda, beloved nephew Claude LaMagra, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and the many people whose lives she touched over her almost 98 years of loving life and all it had to offer. Her laughter, blessings, and beautiful smile will be missed by all. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 3:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m. at the Greenville Memorial Home, 374 Danforth Ave., Jersey City. Family and Friends are invited to attend theFuneral Mass on Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 14 Greenville Ave., Jersey City. (There will be no visitation at the funeral home Monday morning) Mausoleum Entombment will follow at Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City. Services under the professional direction of Nicholas J. Grillo of Levandoski-Grillo Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bloomfield.