Frances Diller was called home to be reunited with the Lord and her loved ones on Tuesday,June 8th, 2021 with her daughter holding her hand.
On Valentine’s Day 1948, Frances Ida was born to the late John and Florence (Mollico) Quirolo in Manhattan. The family moved to the Bronx, where she grew up in Throgs Neck among many aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was a graduate of Mother Butler Memorial High School and Berkeley Business School. Her first jobs were for Orbach’s Department Store, Ogilvy and Mather Ad Agency on Madison Avenue and Marvel Oil. In 1971, she married Robert Diller at St. Benedict’s in the Bronx. A few years later they became parents to their only child, Robin.
In 1977, the family moved to their home in Newburgh and joined St. Joseph’s Parish in New Windsor. She volunteered at St. Joseph’s School and was a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She went on to be the school librarian at Bishop Dunn Memorial in Newburgh. She worked as a branch administrator at Smith Barney in Newburgh and later worked at River Management in New Windsor. However, Fran’s favorite roles were as mom to her daughter, and grandma to her beloved granddaughters, Emily and Madelyn. Her greatest joys were when she could watch her granddaughters dance and was a proud “dance grandma”.
Frances was kind and patient. She loved children, old musicals - especially with Fred Astaire, detective shows and she always wanted to be a Rockette. Her home was always welcoming and she was a fantastic hostess, known for having twice as much food than necessary for any given holiday. To say Frances loved animals, especially dogs, is an understatement. Her love for Fox Terriers, starting with Asta from the Thin Man movies, led her to own 6 in her lifetime.
She also was an avid pet adopter, over the years rescuing 6 dogs from local shelters. Her pets were more than animals but family members and many friends said they wanted to come back as one of her pets to live the good life. Fran was even known to stop traffic on Route 52 to help a family of geese cross the street. One of her comforts in her final days was knowing she would be reunited not only with her parents but also with all of her beloved animals in heaven.
Frances is survived by her husband Robert Diller and adored dog Max at home; daughter Robin Rita and son-in-law Nelson Rita and her pride and joys, her granddaughters Emily and Madelyn Rita, all of Monroe, NY; sister Margaret Larrousse of North Easton, MA; niece Mary Larrousse and husband Steve Haapaoja of Seattle, WA; cousins Frances Andrade, Elisa, John and Luke Scavone all of Bronx, NY; lifelong friend Frances Lierman of Nanuet, NY; many other beloved cousins from Delaware, Maryland and Florida who each held special places in her heart; as well as many dear friends both near and far. In addition to her cherished parents, she was predeceased by her brother Louis Quirolo.
Frances battled for 4 years and gave it all she could. While her family is devastated by her loss, they are comforted knowing she is at peace. The family would like to thank Dr. Licata, Dr. Joseph and the nurses of St. Luke’s who in her final hours prayed with her, sang her favorite hymn Be Not Afraid, and placed rosary beads in her hand. You were angels to her and the family!
In lieu of flowers, Frances would want you to be kind to each other, adopt an animal, read to a child, or make donations to ASPCA or St. Jude’s.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 am on Monday, June 14, 2021 at St Patrick’s Church, 55 Grand Street, Newburgh Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, New Windsor.
Arrangements are under the care of White, Venuto and Morrill Funeral and Cremation Service, Newburgh.