Franca Catelani Warden, enthusiastic opera and art patron, passed away on April 21. Born in Dicomano, Italy, on Aug. 26, 1928, a small town north of Florence, she met her husband William B. Warden at the end of the second world war and moved to Bucks County in 1959.
Franca was charming, energetic and engaging. She was a founder and longtime chairman of the Bucks County Opera Association and served with distinction on the board of directors of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia for 47 years. Her passion for opera contributed to raising funds for local opera, supporting productions and AVA artists and promoting the arts throughout Bucks County. She was a long-standing member of the Bucks County Chamber of Commerce, Solebury Historical Society and the American Italy Society where she served as secretary – treasurer for the Restoration of Churches, Basilicas and Palazzos in Italy. She was awarded the Gold Fiorino by the mayor of Florence.
Franca contributed her considerable skills and leadership to planning many successful gala fundraising events on behalf of the Academy of Vocal Arts and its resident artists. Franca will be remembered by those who admired and loved her for her pride in her Italian heritage, her distinctive accent which was her trademark, her sense of style and her boundless love of the arts.
She is predeceased by her ex-husband William B. Warden, her son William B. Warden Jr. and daughter-in-law Heather Chalmers. She is survived by her sons P. Gregory Warden (Diane), P. Jeffrey, Derek (Meg), Livio Michael (Katie), and her daughter Ligia Selesnick Thompson. Also surviving are her six grandchildren Alex Selesnick, Chris, Will, Matt, Rob and Emily Warden.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Franca Warden Scholarship Fund at the Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. A celebration of life will be held in September.
Life celebration services provided by John F. Givnish of Buckingham.
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