December 13, 1931 - May 2, 2023
On Tuesday, May 2, 2023, Francine Evelina Nelson of Woodside, California passed away at her home surrounded by her loving daughters. She was 91.
Francine is now reunited with her husband, Dennis, who passed away in 2009 after 57 years of marriage. Francine is survived by her daughters, Tracy Bradley of Temecula, California (husband, Mark Bradley), and Lisa Nelson of Danville, California (husband, Dan Nelson). She was also blessed with two granddaughters, Jennifer Bradley Mendoza (husband Michael Mendoza), and Erin Bradley Clemens (husband Tyler Clemens); and three great grandchildren Audrey, Brick, and James Clemens. Francine is survived by three siblings, Elayne Shapet (husband, Allan Shapet), Herbie Stevens, and Mary Stevens. Francine was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Francine Arrigoni, and her brothers William and Gerald Arrigoni.
Francine was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on December 13, 1931. At a young age, she and her family moved to California and resided in many towns including San Francisco, San Carlos and Redwood City. In 1949, she graduated from Sequoia High School in Redwood City. Then, at the age of 20, she married Dennis, and for the next five years worked in banking until becoming a mother in 1956.
Francine reveled in her job as a housewife and mother. She was forever devoted to her husband and her family, making sure that all birthdays, vacations, and holidays were spent together with plenty of wonderful food, love, and laughter. Her family was her everything. Dennis and Francine lived very purposefully to initiate family unity, togetherness, love and fun; they owned weekend homes in Clear Lake, then Discovery Bay, spending countless hours together enjoying beach life, waterskiing, boating, and swimming. It was Francine who turned every house into a home with her decorating skills, sewing abilities, fantastic cooking, caring social skills, and her endless energy fueled by love and devotion.
Francine was not only an elegant, classy and gorgeous beauty, she was a remarkably kind, selfless, and sweet person. Everyone loved Francine and her gentle personality. She never forgot to send birthday cards, never missed honoring someone by attending his or her funeral, and she never hesitated to come to the aid of family, including an aunt who developed Alzheimer's and desperately needed help managing her affairs.
Francine served her community through various women's clubs, and retained wonderful friendships with many women for decades. Francine and Dennis also belonged to several social clubs and the friendships they cultivated lasted a lifetime.
Francine led a long and happy life. She had a great perspective on life, and lived with no regrets. She had the wisdom to accept what she could not change, she was always planning for the future, and remained hopeful and positive. She loved life.
Francine was laid to rest at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo on May 15, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. In Francine's memory, please consider a donation towards the Wounded Warrior Project, the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, the American Cancer Society, or the Arthritis Foundation.
