1929
Frances
2022
Frances J. (Mascolo) Weiss Raichelson
August 2, 1929 — February 4, 2022
Obituary
Mrs. Frances J. (Weiss) Raichelson, of West Springfield, MA, passed away on February 4, 2022, after a brief illness. Born in Newark, NJ on August 2, 1929, she was the youngest child of the late Philomena and Nicola Mascolo, hardworking Italian immigrants who emigrated from Nola, Italy. She graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1947 and was the Captain of the women’s basketball team where she led her school to many victories.
The Weiss family moved to West Springfield in 1965. After the death of her first husband Leonard Weiss in 1976, she became the quintessential single mom, working long hours and two jobs at the old Southworth Paper Mill and Breck Shampoo factory. Later in life, she was recognized for her organizational skills and worked as an administrator for the Hampden County Medical Society and then, for many years until her retirement, for the West Springfield Board of Assessors. She was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church and a member of their Women’s Club.
She later married Mr. Mel Raichelson of Longmeadow, MA and they enjoyed their later years traveling, golfing together as members of Shaker Farms CC, cooking her world-famous meatballs while hosting her ever growing family, or simply visiting her many family members on the east coast. Sadly, Mel predeceased her in 1994 and she was also predeceased by a very large group of loving siblings: sisters Connie Guilbot, Anne Marinaro, Carmella Gadaleta, and brothers Anthony Mascolo, Salvatore Mascolo, and Carmine Mascolo. Her sister-in-law, Rainey Weiss of Clifton, NJ survives her.
She leaves behind her children Marianne Moran (and husband James) of West Springfield, Leonard Weiss Jr., (and wife Kimberly) of Suffield, CT, John Weiss (and wife Kathleen) also of West Springfield and Martin Weiss (and wife Susan) of Woodstock, CT. Her adult stepchildren Steven and Shelley Raichelson were also very close to her heart.
She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
Her grandchildren made her burst with pride and love. They are Jamie Moran, Thomas Moran and his wife Lauren, and John Moran, along with Nick Weiss and his fiancé Laura Gendreau, Mitchell Weiss, Brittany Weiss, Alex Weiss and his fiancé Kim Grey, and Peter Crelan. Her grandchildren, along with their beautiful future brides, loved her deeply and will miss her terribly.
Her great-grandchildren, Andrew Moran and Sophia Frances Moran made her acquaintance only over the last few years but she loved them for a lifetime. They will be a testament and legacy to her kindness and beauty for another lifetime to come.
Frances was a beautiful Angel among us. If anyone rates a golden ticket to Heaven, it’s “Momma Weiss.”
Calling hours will be private at the Toomey & O’Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield Street, West Springfield, MA. There will be a Funeral Mass on Monday, February 14 at 11:30am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 47 Pine Street, West Springfield. So as to accommodate her many friends and family members from around the country, her internment of ashes will occur at a later date via a Celebration of Life, notification to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of MA, 181 Park Ave, Suite 12, West Springfield, MA 01089, in memory of Fran.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Frances J. (Mascolo) Weiss Raichelson, please visit our floral store.
Mrs. Frances J. (Weiss) Raichelson, of West Springfield, MA, passed away on February 4, 2022, after a brief illness. Born in Newark, NJ on August 2, 1929, she was the youngest child of the late Philomena and Nicola Mascolo, hardworking Italian immigrants who emigrated from Nola, Italy. She graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1947 and was the Captain of the women’s basketball team where she led her school to many victories.
The Weiss family moved to West Springfield in 1965. After the death of her first husband Leonard Weiss in 1976, she became the quintessential single mom, working long hours and two jobs at the old Southworth Paper Mill and Breck Shampoo factory. Later in life, she was recognized for her organizational skills and worked as an administrator for the Hampden County Medical Society and then, for many years until her retirement, for the West Springfield Board of Assessors. She was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church and a member of their Women’s Club.
She later married Mr. Mel Raichelson of Longmeadow, MA and they enjoyed their later years traveling, golfing together as members of Shaker Farms CC, cooking her world-famous meatballs while hosting her ever growing family, or simply visiting her many family members on the east coast. Sadly, Mel predeceased her in 1994 and she was also predeceased by a very large group of loving siblings: sisters Connie Guilbot, Anne Marinaro, Carmella Gadaleta, and brothers Anthony Mascolo, Salvatore Mascolo, and Carmine Mascolo. Her sister-in-law, Rainey Weiss of Clifton, NJ survives her.
She leaves behind her children Marianne Moran (and husband James) of West Springfield, Leonard Weiss Jr., (and wife Kimberly) of Suffield, CT, John Weiss (and wife Kathleen) also of West Springfield and Martin Weiss (and wife Susan) of Woodstock, CT. Her adult stepchildren Steven and Shelley Raichelson were also very close to her heart.
She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
Her grandchildren made her burst with pride and love. They are Jamie Moran, Thomas Moran and his wife Lauren, and John Moran, along with Nick Weiss and his fiancé Laura Gendreau, Mitchell Weiss, Brittany Weiss, Alex Weiss and his fiancé Kim Grey, and Peter Crelan. Her grandchildren, along with their beautiful future brides, loved her deeply and will miss her terribly.
Her great-grandchildren, Andrew Moran and Sophia Frances Moran made her acquaintance only over the last few years but she loved them for a lifetime. They will be a testament and legacy to her kindness and beauty for another lifetime to come.
Frances was a beautiful Angel among us. If anyone rates a golden ticket to Heaven, it’s “Momma Weiss.”
Calling hours will be private at the Toomey & O’Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield Street, West Springfield, MA. There will be a Funeral Mass on Monday, February 14 at 11:30am at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 47 Pine Street, West Springfield. So as to accommodate her many friends and family members from around the country, her internment of ashes will occur at a later date via a Celebration of Life, notification to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of MA, 181 Park Ave, Suite 12, West Springfield, MA 01089, in memory of Fran.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Frances J. (Mascolo) Weiss Raichelson, please visit our floral store.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances J. (Mascolo) Weiss Raichelson, please visit our flower store.
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