Josephine L. Frasca of Reading, formerly of Melrose, died at The Residence at Melrose Station on July 31, 2026, at the age of 97.

After graduating from Stratford Business School in Boston, Josephine worked as a medical transcriber for a time before and after she raised her family. Josephine was a long- time resident of both Melrose, where she lived for over thirty years, and of Reading, where she lived for thirty years.

An avid practioner of textile art, Josephine created masterful large-scale, hand-dyed and hooked wall art, some inspired by European tapestries and paintings. Her eye for beauty extended to the impeccable way in which she decorated her home. She was a gourmet cook with an extensive collection of recipes, who delighted her family with sumptuous meals on holidays and other special occasions. Cooking, art, music, interior decorating, and reading were all activities that she enjoyed but she loved and enjoyed being with her family above all else.

She deeply loved her children, supporting them in all of their decisions and endeavors and she adored her four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was the beloved wife of the late Peter P. Frasca for 64 years. Loving mother of Ritamarie Macadino and her husband Anthony of Reading and Robert Frasca and his wife Arleen of Melrose. Cherished grandmother of Caitlin and her husband Erik, Vittoria and her husband Luc, Madeleine and her husband Michael, and Gerard. Cherished great-grandmother of Evelyn, Sophia, Randall, and Annabelle. Caring sister of the late Mary Christensen and the late Antoinette Volpe. Also survived by loving nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, from 4-7 PM. Procession from the Gately Funeral Home on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at 8:45AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield at 10AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial in Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Josephine's memory to the charity of your choice.