Frances Elizabeth Tallarita Pizolato, 86, of Beaumont, died Sunday, October 17, 2004 at Dubuis Hospital.

A lifelong resident of Beaumont, Frances was born to Mario and Rosalie Capo Tallarita on January 25, 1918. She was the oldest child of seven and was a 1936 graduate of South Park High School. In 1952 she married Leon Pizolato. They had one daughter, Paula Pizolato Mitchell.

Frances and her husband owned and operated Lee’s Drive-In Grocery on Park Street from 1961 – 1982 and she was known as “Mrs. Lee” to hundreds of South Parkers. Frances never met a stranger and was always the life of the party. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, and sister-in-law, and was affectionately known by her closest family as “Sister” and “Aunt Fanny”. The happiest and most fulfilling time of her life was being “Nonie” to her granddaughters, Ashlie and Andrea.  Not only was she their grandmother, she was their best friend. Our days will never be the same without her love and humor.

Her husband, Leon Pizolato, and her sisters, Mary Catherine Lomonte, Agnes Tallarita, and Carlis Carroll preceded Frances in death. Survivors include her daughter, Paula Mitchell and her husband Patrick of Beaumont; granddaughters, Ashlie Mitchell and Andrea Mitchell, both of Beaumont;  brother, Labo Tallarita of Beaumont; sisters, Gertrude Tallarita and Margaret Tallarita both of Beaumont; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M.  Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church with burial following at Magnolia Cemetery, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. Serving as pallbearers will be her nephews.  A gathering of family and friends will begin at 5:00 P.M. Tuesday evening, October 19, 2004, with a Christian Vigil at  6:30 P.M at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 4445 Avenue A, Beaumont, Texas 77705.