Philomena R. (Muccino) Frenzilli

Philomena “Honey” Frenzilli passed away January 5 at her residence at the Park Danforth.  Born on March 24, 1918 to Michele and Pasqualina (Zampino) Muccino in Portland, she grew up on Cotton Street. She attended Staples Grammar School, and graduated from Portland High School in 1936. She later attended Grey’s Business School.

            She married Staff Sergeant and paratrooper Rocco S. Frenzilli Jr. on March 19, 1944, wearing a wedding gown made from the silk of her husband’s military parachute. She raised her family in the East Deering neighborhood where she lived until 2000, when she moved to a condominium in Yarmouth, her residence until 2017 when she relocated to the Park Danforth.

            Honey worked at WT Grant, the City of Portland School Lunch program and Rich’s Department store where she enjoyed meeting and working with people.

            She and her husband enjoyed many years of summering at Highland Lake in Windham. Many a good time was spent with family and friends on their large outdoor deck. Honey was well known for her love of walking. In her high school yearbook, she listed it as her hobby. Well into her nineties, she would log miles each day. 

            Honey enjoyed cooking Italian recipes and especially making her own pasta, but her best work was her pizzelle cookies, bags of which she would hand out to family and friends or anyone who happened by, including mail deliverers, plumbers, etc..

She loved knitting, card games and word puzzles.

            She was pre-deceased by her husband Rocco, and brother Fred Muccino.

            Philomena is survived by her son Rocco Frenzilli III, his wife Katherine Mercier, a sister Olga Esty and numerous nieces and nephews. She was affectionately called Sisi (Italian for aunt) by many of the younger generation.

            The family would like to thank Northern Lights Health Care and Hospice for their assistance and guidance at a most difficult time, and the staff and residents of the Park Danforth for taking Honey under their wing.

            Per Philomena’s request there will be no visiting hours.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Federal Street in Portland on Friday, January 11, 2019  at 10:00 AM.  Interment will be  at a later date in Old Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.

            In lieu of flowers,  if friends or family desire, a contribution can be made to the Philomena R. Frenzilli Scholarship Fund by mailing a check made out to Portland High School and writing in the memo line The Philomena R. Frenzilli Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Portland High School

284 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME 04101

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