In Memory of

Frances

A.

Francis

Ball

Obituary for Frances A. Francis Ball

Frances (Azzara) Francis Ball passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021 in Nokomis, FL at age 89. She was born March 29, 1932 in New York, NY, as Frances Lou Azzara, one of three daughters and a son of Ann and Thomas Azzara, later of East Hartford, CT.

She leaves her sons, William (Marsha) and Scott; grandchildren, Christopher (Amanda), Sarah Rindner (Drew), Devon, and Cory; five great grandchildren; brother, Thomas; and sister, Camille.

Frances spent most of her childhood summers on her grandparent's farm in rural Rockville, CT. Her aunt Ludmilla "Lou" had a large part in raising her, and she learned much of her family values from their close relationship.

She met her first husband, William Francis Sr. when in high school in East Hartford. They started dating when she was just 15 and he was 18, marrying three years later. Together, they raised their sons, William Jr. and Scott in Rockville, Ellington and later Somers, CT. She and William enjoyed a long prosperous marriage of 51 years before William passed away in 2002. They enjoyed traveling worldwide and partook in several house swaps in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Frances was a hard worker all her life and cherished her husband and children first and foremost. Her lifelong motto was "I tried" and she instilled that value of never giving up even in the face of adversity or others not believing in her, to her children and those around her. She was a very generous, loving, and caring mother who always supported her children and their endeavors in life. She was a devoted Christian and together with her first husband, William Sr. and second husband, Charles Ball, instilled her strong religious beliefs in her sons.

After her first husband died, Frances met the next love of her life, Charles Ball, when she was filling in as an usher for her friend, Ruthie at the Sarasota Opera House. They immediately hit it off and were engaged soon after. Charles and Frances were very much in love and enjoyed a wonderfully close marriage for 13 years until Charles' unexpected passing in January 2018.

Relatives and friends are welcome to join the family from 10 to 11 AM with a funeral service following at 11 AM on Friday, November 5, 2021 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 523 Hartford Tpke. Vernon, CT. Masks and social distancing will be observed. Burial will follow at Somers Center Cemetery. For online condolences please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com