PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Our beautiful mother, Clementine Fruet, went to heaven Sunday, January 20, 2019. It would have been her 79th wedding anniversary to the love of her life, our deceased father, Ezio. 

Born in Great Barrington, 101 years ago, to the delight of Francesco and Lena LaFontana. She lived in Great Barrington until her marriage, and then moved to Richmond, coming to Pittsfield in 1951. She got her LPN license and started her nursing career working at Hillcrest, St. Luke's, and ending her 30-year career doing private duty at Berkshire Medical Center. She was loved by her patients for her compassionate and loving care. She decided to go to college and loved her classes there. On Awards Night at Berkshire Community College, she was awarded a certificate for "her unique contributions and commitment to both herself and her classmates." We were so proud of her - but then we always were. 

She was a self-taught classical pianist, an accomplished artist, a great debater, and a voracious reader. Her library consisted of philosophy, learning Russian, religions, and medical books. Grey’s Anatomy was pretty much dog-eared. She was a devout Catholic and practiced it every day of her life; she’s going to be greeted by a host of angels and saints. They know her well. 

She is survived by her sons Peter (Marlene) and Ezio “Jay” Joseph (Dianne); daughters Judith Rose DiSantis (favorite son-in-law John) and Mary "Molly" Harmony Ricchi (Bill Mazzeo); five grandchildren, Stephanie Lee DiSantis, Nicholas (Nick) Ezio DiSantis (Lindsay), Theresa "TC" Clementine DiSantis (Dave), Gabrielle Elaine Fruet and Alexander Ezio Fruet; and one great-grandchild, Gianna Rose DiSantis.  

A special thank you to Megan White for her years of love and devotion to Nina and to our entire family.  We love you. Thank you Dyan White for years of being there for Nina and loving her; we love you.

Funeral notice: Calling hours will be Friday, January 25, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA. 01201. Services will be Friday, January 25, at 12:30 p.m. from the funeral home with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 414 North St. Pittsfield, Mass., with the Rev. Monsignor Michael A. Shershanovich, Pastor officiating. 

Burial will follow in the family plot at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in West Stockbridge, Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home.