Zora DeFranco joined her beloved husband James DeFranco and son Jimmy DeFranco in Heaven on August 10th, 2023. She was 93 years old, and in her home surrounded by her children and grandchildren when she passed.
She is succeeded by her daughters, Constance Nardello (Duke Nardello), Mary Kennedy, Andrea DeFranco (late Rick Tarapczynski), Denise Mast (Tim Mast), and Carolyne Raglow-DeFranco (Stephen Raglow-DeFranco), and her son, Russell DeFranco (Dawn Kuznik); 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, all her favorites.
Zora was born in the Bronx to first-generation Slovaks, Mariska and John Rusnak. After college, she moved to Niagara Falls to be a teacher where she met her husband, Jim. Together they raised 7 children in their home in LaSalle. Zora will be dearly remembered for her intelligence, selflessness, warmth, and incredible sense of humor. She remained vibrant right up to the end. Her legacy will live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the extensive group of people whose lives she touched.
Visitation will be on Monday, August 14 from 3 – 7 PM at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY, where funeral services will begin on Tuesday at 9:15 AM, followed by Zora’s Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in Prince of Peace Church, 1055 N. Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial offerings may be made to Gateway Longview Foundation, 6350 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221.
