Frances (Foti) Machno-Slattery
An angel of a lady who was most kind, loving, caring, and giving, Frances (Foti) Machno-Slattery of Ware, Mass., and Sanibel Island, Fla., entered into eternal rest on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. She was born in Ludlow on March 26, 1929 and was the beloved daughter of the late Frank and Ada (Pasquini) Foti, immigrants of Italy.
Fran and her first husband, the late Edward J. Machno, founded and owned the Hadley Garden Center in Hadley, Mass. On their retirement they sold the present business of fifty years to Tom Giles who was like an adopted son, and his wife, Janine. Everyone who knew Fran loved her. She was affectionately called “Aunt” by many. Her smile and laugh radiated and will be remembered forever. She enjoyed Italian cooking and traveling around the world.
Her greatest joy in life was her family and friends. Frances was predeceased by her first husband, Edward J. Machno; her sister, Pauline; her baby brother, Richard Foti; her sister in law, Victoria (Machno) Kuzmeski-Banas; her husband, Edward Banas; and a dear and beloved niece, Theresa Banas, who passed in January of this year. She sadly leaves behind her husband of twelve years Dennis P. Slattery; her stepson, Daniel Slattery; his wife Dorothy; and stepson, Kevin Slattery. She was the proud and loving “Nona” of Sydney, Joey and Will Slattery.
Fran had the greatest love and was most proud of her nephew, Father Charles Kuzmeski, pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Granby, Mass. She would always introduce him as my nephew, “the priest”. Words cannot express the kindness and devotion he gave to his Aunt Fran throughout her life and all the assistance and love until her passing. She also cared deeply for her nieces and nephews: Chris Samhammer, Eric Samhammer, Trish Whiston, Michael Foti, Mark Foti and Angela Taylor. She also leaves her brother-in-law, Claire Samhammer. Fran loved Sanibel Island, Fla., and her extended family at Seascape. She had a special place in her heart for St. Isabel’s Church and their pastor, Fr. Christopher Senk. A special “thank you” to Keystone Commons of Ludlow, Wing Memorial Hospital and Palmer Healthcare Center for their compassionate care during this past year.
Services were held Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton at 8:45 a.m., followed by a Liturgy of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Church, 120 Russell St., Hadley. Burial followed at Holy Rosary cemetery, Hadley.
Memorial remembrances in Fran’s memory may be made to the Machno-Slattery Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. 206, Ware, Ma. 01082-0206, Daughters of the Immaculate Conception or any church affiliated with her dear nephew, Father Charles Kuzmeski. “Lord, may she whom you have called home rest in the radiance of your eternal light and love.”