Angiolina DiFranco

Angiolina DiFranco of Mayfield Heights, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, after a remarkable 88 years. She was the beloved wife for 70 years of Carlo DiFranco (deceased). 

Born on November 2, 1937, in Rionero Sannitico, Italy, immigrating to Belgium and then to the United States in 1967. For more than a half-century she made Mayfield Heights her home. A faithful parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, she never missed Sunday Mass when she was able. 

Angiolina loved her husband, her children, and all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For 70 years she was a devoted wife, and she was a constant source of love as a mother, grandmother, and friend. She spent her life caring for each of them, and nothing made her happier than preparing food, telling stories, and gathering everyone she loved close around her. Most of all, she adored the babies; no matter how she was feeling, holding a little one could brighten her in an instant. She was the best mother: loving, caring, and the fiercest protector whenever her children and grandchildren needed her. She showed her children and grandchildren what it means to sacrifice for the people they love most. They could always see her in the kitchen—making bread, sauce, pasta, and so much more.

Her love will be felt at every family table and in every story her children and grandchildren tell. It will also live on in the way they care for one another—just as she cared for them.

She leaves behind a legacy of devotion that will live on in the hearts of her beloved children, Mauro DiFranco, Maria Toth (Bernie), Marilena Walsh (James), Bruno DiFranco (Pam), and Gino DiFranco (Sara); her adored grandchildren; Nicole Gibbs (Bryan), Marie Smith (Nick), Theresa, Michelle and Joe DiFranco, Steven Toth (Chelsey), Christina Neal (Travis), Thomas (Sarah), Ryan (Katie), Kevin (Mia) and Matthew (Jessica) Walsh, Antonio and Angelina DiFranco, Samantha Kopp (Ethan), Dominic (fiancé Jaime Carpenter), Gianna and Benjamin DiFranco, her 9 treasured great-grandchildren; brothers Gelsomino (Giovanna), Adelio (Lucia) and Anthony (deceased) (Linda, deceased) DiFranco. brother-in-law Adelio DiFranco (Pina) (Of Belgium), sisters-in-law Lina DiFranco (Tito, deceased) of Belgium and Anna D'Amico (Nicola, deceased) (of Italy),, and countless relatives and friends in the United States, Italy, and Belgium.

We were all so fortunate to have had her with us for this long—a rare and precious gift. Angiolina has gone home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Please keep her entire family in your prayers.

Entombment All Souls Cemetery. Mass of Christian Burial 10 am Thursday, April 16, 2026 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 6850 Mayfield Road, Gates Mills, OH 44040. FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE FIORITTO FUNERAL HOME, 5236 MAYFIELD ROAD, LYNDHURST (EAST OF RICHMOND ROAD) ON Wednesday, April 15 from 3 to 7 pm.