Frances DeFabritus

Frances Flora (Fusco) DeFabritus of Lake Grove NY, formerly of Cold Spring Harbor, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Stony Brook Hospital. She was born on September 11, 1929, in Brooklyn, NY to Giovanni and Maddalena (DeLuca) Fusco. Growing up she helped out in her father’s grocery store. After graduating from Bushwick High School in 1946, she attended Packard Junior College in New York City and worked at McCrory’s for a few years. She met her husband, John “Jack” DeFabritus at his college graduation party. They were married on May 27, 1951, and were together for 63 years until his death in 2014.

Frances left the workforce when her children were born, but once they were in school, she took up volunteering. She first volunteered for the Girl Scouts as a leader and then with the Girl Scout Council. After that she volunteered for the Huntington Hospital Auxiliary for 50 years in various roles including TV chairman, treasurer, and co chairman of the art committee.

Frances and Jack loved to travel and enjoyed many trips both in the United States and abroad. She was an excellent gourmet cook and loved to share her talents with family and friends. She enjoyed entertaining especially at their summer home in Montauk, NY. One always left their home well taken care of and of course, well fed! Over the years, she also enjoyed her weekly card games with friends.

Frances lived a long full life. Her independence was important to her and she remained independent and active to the end. She maintained her connections with family and friends over the years and in later years her friends became her extended family. She was the person we all went to when we needed advice. Her positive attitude about life made her a joy to be around.

Frances is now reconnected with her parents, husband John “Jack” DeFabritus, son Ronald DeFabritus and her brother Eugene Fusco. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Donna and Howard Binzer, her sister Lucy Fusco, and many other family members, extended family members and friends who loved her dearly.

Visitation for Frances will be on Wednesday, May 6, from 3-7 PM at the Branch Funeral Home in Smithtown, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, May 7, at 9:45 AM at St. Patrick’s RCC in Smithtown, NY. Burial will follow the Mass at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Huntington, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Huntington Hospital, 270 Park Avenue, Huntington, NY 11743.