Frances J. Fitzpatrick

Frances J. (Paladino) Fitzpatrick, 82 of Worcester, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at St. Vincent’s Hospital after complications of the flu.

Born in Worcester, Frances – affectionately known as Fran, Franny, Gramma Fran – the daughter of the late Francis and Carmela (Gentile) Paladino. She graduated from St. Stephen’s High School and went on to become a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her happiest moments were spent surrounded by her family, especially her grandchildren. Frances was a longtime member of St. John’s Church and enjoyed cooking, traveling, and celebrating life’s simple joys.

Frances took tremendous pride in her Italian cooking, and nothing brought her more joy than sharing her specialties with others – most famously her personalized homemade pizzas. She crafted an estimated 3,500 of these flavorful beauties over her lifetime, each one made with love. And she always reminded everyone “they were delicious!” Frances was kind, loving and fiercely loyal, with a soft spot for the underdog - a quality her family deeply admired. She demanded respect and always returned it in equal measure. And if you weren’t careful, you might receive a choice word in Italian – or better yet, a playful scafadoombatch (a tap across the head)!

Frances was predeceased by her husband and the love of her life of 32 years, Paul F. Fitzpatrick, who passed away in 1993.

She leaves behind her son, James J. Fitzpatrick and his wife Alison of Hopkinton; two daughters, Kathleen Moore and her husband Mark of Sutton and Shelia Richardson and her husband Brian of Byfield, MA; and her longtime companion and partner of many years, James Gallagher of Worcester. She is also survived by three sisters, Margaret Barry and her husband John of Shrewsbury, Constance Cooney of Worcester and Dona DeSantis and her husband Louis of Shrewsbury; six cherished grandchildren – William, Gregory, Paul, Kyle, Brooke and Madeline – as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Frances was predeceased by her brother Salvatore Paladino and his wife Jacqueline; two sisters, Delores Peters and her husband Charles, and Carole Kelly and her husband Timothy, all formerly of Holden; her brother-in-law, Thomas Cooney formerly of Worcester; and her granddaughter Alyssa.

A funeral Mass for Frances will be celebrated on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00 am in Saint John’s Church, 40 Temple St., Worcester. Burial will be held privately. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011