Obituary of Frances Clare Brandell
Frances Clare Ackerman Brandell, age 92, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 20, 1932, in Clifton, New Jersey, Frances lived a life filled with love, devotion, and accomplishment. She spent her early years in Clifton, where she was raised and resided for 25 years before moving to Wayne, New Jersey, where she lived for another 25 years. For over three decades, she divided her time between Warren, New Jersey, and Palm City, Florida, before settling at Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, where she spent her final years.
A dedicated learner, Frances graduated from St. Aloysius Catholic School and the College of St. Elizabeth. She also attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School, where she developed skills that supported her career. She was self-employed, working at United Veil Dyeing and Finishing Company in Jersey City and Rebtex in Branchburg.
Faith was central to Frances’s life, and she was a devoted member of Our Lady of the Mount Roman Catholic Church. Her talents and passions extended to many hobbies, including traveling, golfing, sewing, and cooking, which brought joy to her and her loved ones.
Frances was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert Emil Brandell, who passed away in 2019. Together, they built a loving family, which was the center of her world. She is survived by her five children: Robert Paul Brandell (Susan Gross Brandell), Christine Zelesny (William Zelesny), Renee Marino (Joseph Marino), Thomas Gerard Brandell (Lori Ott Brandell), and Michele Senatore (Anthony Senatore) and her loving niece Karen Ackerman Malizia.
She was the proud grandmother of 13 grandchildren: Heather Brandell Opdyke (Mike Opdyke), Matthew Brandell (Julie Brandell), Sarah Brandell Opdyke (Luke Opdyke), William Zelesny (Kristine Zelesny), Elizabeth Zelesny Veltrie (Josh Veltrie), Clare Zelesny Helms (Aaron Helms), Brian Brandell (Stephanie Brandell), Kate Brandell DeCesare (Jesse DeCesare), Thomas Brandell, Stephanie Senatore, Samantha Senatore, Michael Senatore, and Marcella Marino. Her nine great-grandchildren—Poppy, Theo, Kinsley, and Olivia Opdyke; Elliott Brandell; Jack, Addison, and Cooper Veltrie; and Miles Zelesny—brought her immense joy.
Frances was predeceased by her parents, Andrew Ackerman and Marcella Rose Moltane Ackerman, her brother, Andrew F. Ackerman, and her nephews, Drew and Glenn Ackerman and sister-in-law Doris Ackerman.
Her family and friends will forever cherish the memory of her unwavering love, faith, and kindness. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her honor. Frances leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion that will be treasured by all who knew her.
