Frances Notaro

Frances Notaro, 88, formerly of Stevensville, passed away peacefully following a brief at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph with Msgr. Eugene Sears officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph. Friends may call from 4-8 P.M. Sunday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Liturgical Prayers will be recited at 6:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lake Michigan Catholic Schools or Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mrs. Notaro was born September 28, 1915 in LaMonte, Illinois to Angelo & Constance (Provenzano) Lamela. On September 11, 1937 she married Frank Notaro in Gary, Indiana, who would be her beloved husband for more than 62 years. Frances was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she was very active in her younger years when her health permitted. She enjoyed cooking and baking Italian Cookies and many other Italian dishes. Another favorite pastime was knitting & crocheting. Frances made beautiful afghans for all of her grandchildren, and for many friends. She especially enjoyed socializing and spending time with all of her family & friends. Frances is survived by two sons-Don (Millie) Notaro of St. Joseph, Ken (Nancy) Notaro of Metamora, IL; her daughter-Linda (Frank) Gambino of Boynton Beach, FL; eight grandchildren-Don (Darla) Notaro, Lori (Dave) Dykman, Natalie (Mike) Edwards, Mitch (Gretchen) Notaro, Ken Notaro, Deb Savickas, Rob (Amanda) Notaro, Heather Ebling; eleven great-grandchildren; a sister-Jane Bunch of Littleton Colorado; numerous nieces & nephews; and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank on April 9, 2000, and four sisters-Mary Sassano, Josephine Pirillo, Angeline Trainer, & Connie Babuschio.