Frances M. (Cotoia) LaBrache

Mrs. Frances M. (Cotoia) LaBrache, died Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at home after an illness. She was 97.

Frances was born in Newton on September 10, 1927, a daughter of the late Pietro and Antonia (Bianco) Cotoia, and grew up amid a large, loving and close-knit Italian family in Nonantum. She was a 1946 graduate of Newton High School.

In September, 1957 she married Marlborough native Leo F. LaBrache in Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton. The couple lived in Newton and in Watertown before moving to Waltham forty-three years ago.

Until her retirement, Fran worked as a bookkeeper for the Newton Housing Authority and before that held the same position at Massachusetts Bay Community College.

She and her family spent many happy summer vacations in Wells, Maine. She was an avid reader and could frequently be found taking long walks. She was a member of the South Side Seniors where she and her friends enjoyed the trips planned by the organization.

Her greatest joy and devotion was found spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren who she would treat with gifts and special adventures.

Fran’s husband, Deacon Leo F. LaBrache died in May, 2015.

She leaves her children, Paul LaBrache (Janice) of Groton, Denise Marini (late Larry) and John LaBrache, both of Waltham; her grandchildren, Nicolas Marini (Ryan), Danielle Marini-King (Caleigh), Ryan LaBrache (Sarah) and Jennifer Giamberardino (Mike); her great-granddaughter, Addison LaBrache; her sister-in-law, Alice Cotoia and many nieces, nephews and their families including Ann Calabro.

She was a sister and sister-in-law of the late Jenny and Al Dellicicchi, Mary and Dan Rufo, Carol and Tom Dooley, Ann and Dexter Briggs and Joseph Cotoia.

Family and friends will honor and remember Frances' life by gathering for an Evening Wake on Sunday, June 15th from 4 to 7 p.m. in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Steet (Rte.20), Waltham and again at 8 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.