Franca M. McDaniel; War Bride From Italy
Franca M. McDaniel, who was born in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, died Saturday at Community Memorial Hospital. She was 71.
She was born in Naples, Italy, on April 1, 1926. She met her husband, James E. McDaniel, who was stationed in Naples with the U.S. military, during World War II.
The couple moved to Corona in 1947. They later moved to Ventura, where she lived for the past 23 years.
Franca McDaniel loved antiques, the theater and sports--especially the Los Angeles Lakers.
McDaniel is survived by her husband, James; her sons, Stephen, Keith and Joe; her daughter, Lucy; her sister, Lucia Balsamo Abbott, of Santa Barbara; and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in McDaniel’s name to Habitat for Humanity.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.
Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by mortuaries.
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