Birth date: Nov 9, 1928 Death date: Apr 27, 2023
Mary Frances Para Mensi, 94, of Collierville TN died on April 27, 2023 at Baptist Reynold Hospice House in Collierville, TN. She was born on November 9, 1928, in Memphis, TN. She attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School, graduated Read Obituary
I am so very saddened by the loss of my dear Aunt Mary Frances, my mom’s only sister, my second mother, and often confidant… she filled in as mother of the bride during my marriage to Manny because my mom couldn’t be there, and referred to him as her “boyfriend”… and “ if only I were 20 years younger!” I am honored to have her middle name.
So many wonderful family memories with my cousins throughout childhood and as an adult are connected to her… my absolute shock and horror at discovering the “brains and eggs” I was eating that she had cooked for us, playing dress up in her friend, Annabelle’s, discarded dresses, high heels, and accessories because she was “tiny,” water skiing at Pickwick on the Tennessee River with my family, being thrown in the pool, fully clothed, by my brothers at every family gathering, then laughing, soaking wet… and later, teaching me to make gnocchi and sharing recipes for southern lemon squares and buttermilk pie. She grew the most beautiful tomatoes and cooked the best lady peas.
Having been my pediatric nurse growing up, she chased me and my siblings around the yard for our family vaccinations every year, but later, as a mother, I always asked her medical advice, and called upon her to care for my young children when needed. And she always loved helping at garage sales.
Our fun visits in Memphis years later sharing early breakfasts together, then shopping and lunching with my mom. I am so grateful now for these shared experiences with these two amazing women.
Words cannot express the loss I feel and how very much I loved her. Feisty, independent, smart, fun, and she sure loved a humorous card, milk chocolate, and plucking out Happy Birthday on the piano.
I love you Aunt Mary Frances… you will be forever missed and always in my heart.
Barbara
