Francesca Schwartz, a beloved mother, grandmother. and friend, passed away October 12, 2024, at the age of 90. She was born on October 5, 1934, in the Bronx, N.Y., to Anthony and Josephine Franchina. Upon completion of high school, she attended the Tobe-Coburn School of Design where she excelled and graduated with honors. Francesca soon moved to San Francisco, Ca with her first husband. While in California she had a very successful career with the Emporium and The Clothes Rack department stores. Francesca became the Junior's Dress buyer which necessitated her travel back to N.Y. every month to select and collaborate with designers on the latest fashions. Francesca was also very proud of her Sicilian heritage and was one of the founders of the Enrico Fermi Lodge of the Sons of Italy, San Leandro, Ca.   However, during this time in California her proudest accomplishment was becoming the mother to her only child, Gina Marie.

In 1976 Francesca met the love of her life, Jack Schwartz. The two wed December 26th, 1977, and the family soon moved to South Burlington, VT. Once in Vermont, Francesca focused on being the best mother and wife she could be. Francesca and Jack loved to travel and did so often. When Jack retired, he joined the International Executive Service Corp. and the two traveled and lived for months at a time in several developing countries. While living in Sri Lanka, Francesca, in collaboration with the Lion's Club, started a program to help children who stuttered. Being a stutterer for most of her life, it brought great joy to her to help others.

In 1996, when their daughter got married, Jack and Francesca moved to Vienna, Virginia to be closer to their daughter and husband. While in Vienna, Francesca would frequently travel into D.C. to visit the museums and attend lecturers on various topics. Francesca and Jack continued to travel the world until his untimely passing in 1998.

Francesca eventually moved to Haymarket, Virginia to be closer to her beloved grandchildren Jack and Juliana. Francesca continued to travel the world so long as it did not interfere with being able to attend her grandchildren's school events.

Francesca is survived by her daughter Gina Silvernale and son-in-law Bruce Silvernale, grandchildren Jack and Juliana Silvernale of Warrenton, Cousins Anna and Maria Sunseri, Pina Fantuazzo, and Marlino Battaglia of Termini Imerese, Sicily, and many friends here and abroad.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Wellington at Lake Manassas and the staff of Vitas Hospice whose dedication and professionalism were a comfort to Francesca and her family.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Saint James Episcopal Church, 73 Culpeper St. Warrenton, Virginia. Burial will be at Fairfax Memorial Park, 9900 Braddock Road, Fairfax, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Shriner's Children's Hospitals at donate.lovetotherescue.org

Online condolences may be expressed at www.colonialfuneralhome.com