Obituary of Frances M. Agresti
Frances M. Agresti, age 71, gracefully departed this world with her family by her side on August 25, 2023, from Morristown Medical Center after a brave fight with lung cancer. Born and nurtured in Bayonne, Frances later embraced life in Jersey City for many memorable years before finding her heart's home in Warren, where she spent the last 21 cherished years.
Frances, an alumna of New Jersey City University (previously Jersey City State College), wore her bachelor's degree with pride. Her passion for her favorite store, Marshall’s in Bridgewater, led her to serve as a dedicated sales associate for two fulfilling decades, retiring only the previous year. While the store witnessed many hours of her labor, it also saw her indulge lovingly in pieces for her cherished home and adored children.
The family was Frances's compass. Every spare moment was a testament to the deep bond she shared with her husband, children, and grandchildren. From cherished lunches with her daughters to joy-filled weekends marked by mimosas and the soothing melodies of “Island Music,” she truly lived for these moments. The allure of travel was another love, with family cruises topping the list, especially the memorable one to Bermuda this past June, which saw three generations of the Agresti family unite in joy. She and her beloved husband, Anthony, also held special memories of their escapades to Aruba. Not to be forgotten were the playful trips to local casinos with her children and the sheer joy of holiday preparations, with Christmas holding a special place in her heart. Above all, the mere presence of her family was Frances's greatest gift.
Frances's legacy is lovingly carried forward by her devoted husband of 46 years, Anthony; her three cherished children, Pasquale Agresti (Christine), Ann Marie DeStefano (Carmen), and Lisa Agresti (Michael Galard); and her three precious grandchildren, Sophia, Enzo, and Ella. Her life also shone brighter because of her sisters: Elizabeth Golden, Margaret "Margie” Simone, Mary Shevlin, and Bernadette Nosal. Additionally, the paw prints of her doting dogs - Chloe, Abbie, Murray, and Presley - are etched forever on her heart.
In Frances's life, every moment was a celebration of love, and she leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories and unwavering bonds.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd. Watchung NJ, followed by a funeral mass at 12 p.m. at St. Mary’s Stony Hill RC Church in Watchung. The entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.
