Filomena Franklin

Filomena Franklin (née Fasano), age 84, of Staten Island, New York passed peacefully on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, after an incredible life. Filomena, or Phyllis, as her loved ones called her, was born to Rose and Dominick Fasano on July 30, 1941. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Her father worked in the Garment District which likely inspired her love of fashion with the elegant dresses he brought home. She received high marks for her beautiful penmanship while attending New Utrecht High School. Phyllis met the love of her life, Richard Franklin, in her childhood neighborhood. They married in June 1963 and moved to Staten Island, NY. Phyllis worked for HIP and VNA Plus as a health care aide coordinator. Prior to her career in healthcare, she was a bookkeeper, which made her exceptionally skilled at keeping the books for her and Richie’s company, F.O.B. Phyllis’s true calling, however, was as the matriarch of her family. In the 1960s, while her husband was away five days a week working as a cross-country truck driver, Phyllis single handedly ran their household. She raised not only her children, but opened her home to anyone in need. She took in her family when they were terminally ill and helped them transition peacefully. Filomena’s love for her family, both blood and chosen, was endless. Her love and generosity knew no bounds; however, make no mistakes, Phyllis was feisty. She was a fierce advocate for family and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind to better the lives of those she loved. When her mother became ill in 1971, she sold her family home and moved into a two-family house so that she could care for them. As legend has it, Richie discovered this while returning home from work one day. Phyllis took immaculate care of the things she loved. Her home was always beautifully decorated and spotless. She often had a kitchen filled with delicious recipes that her mother taught her. Although a girly girl at heart, she loved going camping and being at the beach. Her love of chocolate and pastries were rivaled only by her love of home shopping channels. She had a special affinity for QVC and HSN, often surprising herself with the packages that appeared at the door. Phyllis was an exceptionally strong woman who fought and survived eight different types of cancer. Even when the prognosis was grim, her resilience and tenacity never wavered. On her hardest days, she still made sure she looked her best, always with a full face of makeup and styled hair. Phyllis squeezed every second she could out of life. Although she believed strongly in Heaven and couldn’t wait to be reunited with her loved ones, Filomena loved her life very deeply and spent every second she could on this Earth. Filomena was predeceased by her husband, Richard; daughter, Diana Lynn Chilelli; and siblings, Mary and Anthony. She is survived by daughters Denise Conway (Joseph), Kristen Santangelo; son-in-law, Domenick Chilelli; as well as her beloved grandchildren, GinaMarie Chilelli, Juliana Diehl (Timothy), Joseph Conway (Kelly), Dominique Chilelli, and Richard Santangelo. She is also survived by her cherished cats Nikko, Rosie, and Luca, as well as countless friends who loved her dearly. Friends may visit with the family at the John Vincent Scalia Home for Funeral in Staten Island, NY on Friday September 19 from 4-8 pm. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday September 20 at Holy Child Church at 10am. Phyllis will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery.

Filomena Franklin

July 30, 1941 - September 17, 2025