Lena J. Frank

Lena J. (Arminio) Frank passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 12, 2024, in Danvers, MA, after a long battle with dementia. She was 85 years old.

Lee, as she liked to be called, was born in Glen Ridge, NJ, on March 7, 1939, one of three daughters of the late Nicholas Arminio, Jr., and Angelina (Papaleo) Arminio. A graduate of Verona High School (NJ), she worked in the insurance field before marrying the love of her life, Elton "Britt" Frank, in October 1960.

Together, they settled in Andover, NJ, and raised four children. Lee was fiercely devoted to her family. She took pride in her children's accomplishments, and in later years helped Britt run the family business, a laundromat. Though she feared the water, she loved spending time with her family at the Jersey Shore and traveling with Britt to more distant places, including Hawaii and Germany. Throughout her life, she remained close with her two sisters, Marie and Annette, and their families, and found joy in their numerous gatherings.

An outstanding cook and baker, Lee was known for her lasagna and for making a fruitcake that people actually wanted to eat. She loved animals, Elvis Presley songs, and dancing to any type of music. Though she did not speak the language of her Italian heritage, she knew many colorful Italian words and used them liberally when she spoke.

Lee was selfless, compassionate, and brave, and inspired her children to be the same. When Britt fell ill, she tirelessly cared for him until his passing in 1995. She then moved to the Boston area to be with two of her daughters, uprooting the life she had always known.

Lee was the beloved wife of the late Elton B. Frank, with whom she shared 35 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Donna Little of Virginia Beach, VA; Britt Frank, his wife JoAnn, and daughter Brylee of Palm City, FL; Sherri Frank of Wakefield, MA; and Laura Frank of Wakefield, MA. Cherished sister of Marie Chase of Sussex, NJ, and Annette Marchese and her husband Danny of Fairfield, NJ. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Lee will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 22 Lakeside Avenue, Verona, NJ.

Gifts in memory of Lee may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923 or online at www.CareDimensions.org/Donate.

For online tribute, visit www.RobinsonFuneralHome.com