Diane Frates, In the Arms of Jesus

Diane (Velten) Frates, 65,passed away on November 23, 2008 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the wife of Robert P.Frates with whom she had shared 36 years of marriage.

Born and raised in Stoneham, Diane was the daughter of Alice E. Velten of Stoneham and the late Clifford A. Velten. Diane was a graduate of Stoneham High School,class of 1960. She was employed as a draftsperson for the Raytheon Corporation, RCA Corporation and the Inforex Company.

Diane enjoyed traveling and square dancing with her husband Bob. She was a member of the Northeast Regional Square Dance Club. She was skilled in many crafts, including painting, sewing, scrap booking and creating miniature room displays. She was a member of the Stoneham Arts and Craft Society of Stoneham and the White Mountain Painting Guild. Diane most enjoyed working on crafts with her grandchildren and nieces in her craft room at home.

Diane was a very loving person who attended GracePoint Community Church in Andover and the First Baptist Church in Stoneham. She loved singing the hymns and enjoyed talking about our beloved Jesus Christ. Diane was a very compassionate, loving woman who made a permanent impression on all the lives she touched. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and knew her steadfast belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In addition to her mother and husband, she is survived by her son Michael R. Frates and his wife Donna of Lynnfield and her daughter, Deborah Walker and her husband Christopher of Oakham. She is also survived by a brother WayneVelten and his wife Ann of Peabody; sisters, Joyce Turner of Wilmington and Janet McLaughlin and her husband Leonard of Billerica; three beloved grandchildren Madison and Nathan Frates and Ava Walker; six nieces and three nephews. She was the mother of the late John C.Brown III.