Francesca J. Gencarelli Wish

Francesca Gencarelli Wish died peacefully on October 25th surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 15, 1961 in Westerly, RI. Francesca was the fourth child of Francis (Genc) and Jane Bradshaw Gencarelli, and grew up in Westerly, RI. She graduated from Westerly High School, where she participated in many activities, including theater, speech and music. In 1983 Francesca graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a major in Business and Professional Communications and a minor in Education. She was an active member of Delta Zeta sorority. She met Seth Wish, also a URI student, and they married in December 1983. The couple moved to Indiana where Seth completed his Bachelor’s degree in music. His desire to enter Graduate school took the couple to the New England Conservatory in Boston, where their first child, Ann Kathryn, was born. They returned to Westerly in 1988 where their sons Bradshaw Francis and Jonathan Reed (Jon) were born. Francesca and Seth currently live in Temple, NH. Francesca loved being a wife and mother. She adored taking care of her children and created a loving and magical childhood for them. Her passion for theatre and music never wavered. She sang with the Chorus of Westerly for many years, where she was also a member of the Board. She was a member of the Choir at Christ Church along with her children. Francesca devoted many hours to Westerly High School’s many musical productions. She was also active with the Granite Theatre-she loved being on and behind stage. Francesca had a real desire to help people, that extended into her professional life. She worked with service agencies such as the WISSP center at WHS, The Westerly Hospital, and the Boys and Girls Club of Nashua, NH. Francesca was passionate about ideas, people she loved and life. She loved to laugh, to sing, to walk on the beach, to travel. She was a beautiful woman, with a genuine heart, and true spirit. She was loving, caring, warm, and deeply dedicated to family and friends. She was passionate about exercise, especially spinning and riding. Francesca accepted her cancer diagnosis with hope, grace, and humor - and mascara on those gorgeous eyes. She never stopped fighting and always had a smile on her face. All those who met Francesca would agree that she was filled with love and laughter, and an unforgettable zest for life. The world was truly a better place because of her. Francesca is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Seth Wish; her parents, Francis and Jane Gencarelli; her three siblings. David Gencarelli and Lisa Clinkenbeard of Washington, DC, and Ann Cruso of Westerly; 16 nieces and nephews and 2 grand nieces. Francesca lives on through her children, Ann, Bradshaw, and Jon, who are full of her spirit, laughter and love of life. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday December 4, beginning at 3:00pm at Christ Church, 7 Elm Street in Westerly, Rhode Island. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Francesca’s name to Hope Hospice of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.