Frances Z. Bertapelle

Born in Nyack, NY on January 31, 1928, Frances passed away peacefully in her home in the presence of her family on June 25, 2023. She is survived by her three sons, seven grandchildren, and a great grand-daughter. She was the last surviving child of her parents, Otto and Josephine Zabel. She was married to Arthur Bertapelle in 1948, and until his passing in 2003.

They met in her home town of Nanuet, NY, before the war, and their romance developed after he returned as a veteran. She worked at Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River while Arthur pursued an education under the GI Bill. They raised their family in Farmingdale NY. Frances was active in the St Kilian’s parish in the Mother’s Club, as a cub scout den mother, and in support of the parish boy choir. The family took up boating on the Great South Bay of Long Island. Over the years they fished, clammed, skied, sailed, raced, and cruised. Frances was at the center of a rich set of social activities involving family and friends throughout those years.

In 1981, Arthur’s career took him to the Pentagon. The family built the house in McLean where Frances lived until her final day. She joined and was a supporter of the St John the Beloved parish. She became active in organizing the monthly parish luncheons. She was active in neighborhood activities – Sew-N-Sew Forth, Great Decisions, and monthly coffee club meetings. To everyone who knew her she was a sunny source of cheerfulness, and a pleasure to be with. When her children were out of the house she worked for 10 years for Boeing, in Roselyn, again, to the joy of all her co-workers.

Frances was bolstered by deep feelings of faith, and faced her coming end with a complete absence of anxiety. In her last days she expressed her eagerness to see her father again, who had perished in an accident when she was a girl. She will live in our hearts forever.

Visitation will be held at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Friday, July 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, VA on Saturday, July 8 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Frances’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Smile Train.