Of Dracut MA passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 29th, 2017 at Lowell General Hospital with her family by her side at the age of 88.

Franca was born in Sinagra, Sicily, Italy to the late Joseph Mola and Domenica (Tranchitta) Mola and spent part of her childhood there and then in Capo D’Orlando, Sicily, Italy. Franca had great devotion to her parents and siblings in her adolescent years, having to leave school at a young age to help at the house and at times even acting as a “second mother” to her younger brothers.

At the age of 22, she married the love of her life, Natale Onofaro. Together they moved to Calabria, Italy and they had two sons and a daughter. The family moved to Waltham, MA in 1966 to be with the rest of her family who had previously moved to Waltham. Franca’s husband predeceased her in 1996.  She lived in Waltham until 2012 when she moved to Dracut MA to live with her daughter, Brunella.

Franca was well known for being a great cook. Nothing made her happier than to prepare large meals and have family and friends over for some wonderful times. Through the years, she worked in various food service settings while raising her family. She also was an avid knitter; knitting countless blankets for her children, grandchildren and many other friends and family members in her life.

Franca leaves behind her three devoted children: Joseph Onofaro and wife Nancy of Framingham, MA, Brunella Lopes and partner John Eacrett of Dracut, MA and Tony Onofaro and wife Jennifer of Haverhill, MA.  Eight loving grandchildren; Brian and Jason Lopes of Dracut, MA, Amy and her husband Richard Lyons of Hudson, MA, Jaclyn Onofaro of Worcester, MA, Haley, Michael, Kayla and Ashley Onofaro all of Haverhill, MA.  She also leaves four great grandchildren; Savannah, Richie, Stacy and Aubree Lyons all of Hudson, MA. In addition she leaves four siblings; Rosa and her husband Joseph Mola of Stow, MA, Carmelina of Marlboro, MA, Emilio Mola and his wife Diane of Westford, MA, Gino Mola of Keene, NH. Sisters-in-laws, Lillian Mola of Waltham, MA, Carol Mola of Ft Pierce, FL and Giovanna Mola of Waltham, MA,. as well as many nieces, nephews and in-laws.

She was predeceased by her brothers Joseph Mola and Salvatore Mola, brother-in-law Rosario Borgamastro and niece Susan Dean. She was also predeceased by several family members across the globe, in Italy, Australia and Argentina.

“La famiglia e tutto”

Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend Funeral Services from the Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home, 773 Moody Street, WALTHAM Monday morning April 3rd at 9:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in Celebration of Franca's Life at the Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in the family lot at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham. Visiting Hours will be in the Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home on Sunday April 2nd from 2-6 p.m.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS EXPRESSIONS OF SYMPATHY MAY BE MADE IN FRANCA'S MEMORY TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS NEAR AND DEAR TO HER HEART; A PLACE WHERE HER CHERISHED GRANDSON JASON LOPES HAS ATTENDED OVER THE YEARS.

Camp Jabberwocky
P.O. Box 1357
Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts 02568
email: info@campjabberwocky.org