OLIVIA FRATESI
Olivia Fratesi, 87, passed away, Friday, July 12, 2019, in Texarkana, TX. She was born May 24, 1932, to Joe and Clara Schmalz in Paris, AR.
Olivia completed Draughon School of Business and was employed by National Old Line Insurance in Little Rock, AR. After marrying Harry on April 2, 1956, she became a homemaker and assisted him in running the clerical aspect of their farm in Grady, AR. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pine Bluff, AR and active in the Altar Society and Catholic Daughters. After retirement, she and Harry moved to Quitman, AR for ten years. They attended St. Albert Catholic Church in Heber Springs, AR where Olivia was a member of the Glory Be Girls and organized Italian Fest. In 2014, Olivia and Harry moved to Texarkana, TX to be closer to family and attended St. Edward Catholic Church.
Olivia was an avid bowler for many years with the Coffee Cup League in Pine Bluff. She continued to bowl in Heber Springs and briefly in Texarkana.
She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers: Leonard Schmalz, Eugene Schmalz, Raymond Schmalz, William Schmalz, and Gerhard Schmalz; and one sister: Agnes Siebenmorgen.
Survivors include her husband, Harry, of Texarkana, TX; two daughters and one son-in-law: Debbie and Mark Borgognoni of Texarkana, TX and Donna Fratesi of Sheridan, AR; two granddaughters and spouses: Drs. Sarah and Matthew Buzhardt of Baton Rouge, LA and April and Todd Bower of Little Rock, AR; two great-grandchildren: Luke and Abigail Buzhardt of Baton Rouge, LA.
A visitation will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2019 in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson and Son with a Vigil service following at 11:00 a.m. with Deacon Noel F. “Bud” Bryant officiating.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Joseph Marconi and Monsignor Jack Harris officiating. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 412 West 6th Avenue, Pine Bluff 71601 or St. Edward Catholic Church, 407 Beech Street, Texarkana, AR 71854.
Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.