Francisca Glenn

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Eulogy

Born a cute, one-dimple faced baby at Bellevue hospital in New York City to Edward Patterson and Francisca Panchita “Olympia” Valenzuela, Francisca Dee Patterson came into the world on February 13, 1938 just in time to be her mother and father's Valentine's Day gift (as she would regularly remind us).  Her mother Francisca was a strong willed, devoutly-Catholic housewife of Afro-Cuban decent who was very creative and resourceful; and her dad was a day laborer of Afro-American decent--both of whom were originally from Florida.  Francisca's mom wrote for the World’s Fair with a beautiful calligraphy and penmanship that later Francisca--and even some of her children--would learn to write with such artistic flare.  They all resided in Manhattan at the beginning of her life when after almost 2 and 1/2 years later her mother gave birth again and she became a big sister to America “Mikey" Patterson.  Other places where Francisca subsequently resided was Connecticut; Spanish Harlem (where she was first coined with the nickname “Mussey” in her teen years because--in her own words--of her great legs and "tough" shape); Fox Street in the Bronx; Barretto Street in the Bronx; Park Hill Ave. and Gorden Streets of Staten Island, NY; and Nelson Avenue in the Bronx, NY.

Francisca "Mussey" Dee Patterson went to and graduated from Commander John J. Shae Catholic School in East Harlem near 111th Street.  Of those years, she spoke of a time when her dance classes were only ten cents and to ride the subway was between 5 and 10 cents.  She spoke of a time when she even had the opportunity to sing on an NBC broadcasted radio station with the youth choir she was a part of, all of which she fondly reminisced about.  Talented and often capturing a lot of attention because of her beautiful smile, stylish and trendy frocks, and strawberry-blonde bob, she loved to present herself, as with many women of that time, very fashionable.  In fact, she even bragged about catching the eye of Smokey Robinson in her day. 

During her lifetime, "Grandma Mussey" (as she was also affectionately known as) worked at various jobs such as the voter registration polls in her district, many baby-sitting gigs, and she would work at St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church helping to prepare for the weekly masses under Father Gigante and Father Adams.  She was employed in the Civil Association for Housing and also worked as a chef at a prestigious Manhattan law firm after completing culinary school--which explains her amazingly good and delicious cooking.  Her compassionate heart would lead her to prepare meals and give food to many, including homeless children and children of drug-addicted parents in the neighborhood.  She was a very outgoing person who enjoyed the beach, dancing, singing, music--from the oldies of the 40's, 50's and 60's all the way up to the 90's to even some music from the 2000's, crocheting, dressing sharp and wearing her signature bright red or dark colored lipstick. 

Another way to describe Francisca "Mussey" Glenn is that she lived her life unapologetically bold.  In 1956 she married Clyde Glenn and a few years later became a widow after his death.   A breast-cancer survivor herself, she had previously beat that vicious disease.  However, cancerous lesions developed again in her body, but this time overtaking her, sending her home to be with the One and True God on July 29, 2021 at the age of 83.  Throughout her life's journey she was blessed to become the mother of 6 amazing children: Francesca, Octavius, Joseph, Edwardo, Aisa, and Tracey--all uniquely different and talented in their own right.  She was the aunt to Nadine and Iran Colon.  Her children, having their own families, blessed her further with over twenty-one (21) grandchildren:  Nyeshia, Olympia, Lucianna, Leia, Omar, Sascha, Soriya, Carlos, Carmen, Jose, Josephina, Francisco, Maria, Shyheim, Edwardo Jr., Genisha, Aisa, Justine, Desanaia, Tyquan, and Isaiah.  Moreover, Francisca Glenn is survived by twenty-four (24) great grandchildren.  To see her budding family gave her great pride and joy with whom she proudly proclaimed and shared the history of our lineage including her African, American, and Cuban heritage, her mother tongue--Spanish, and she made sure that her family was provided for in every way she knew how.

Obituary

Francisca Dee Glenn (Patterson) on July 29, 2021 passed away at Staten Island Hospital, the loving daughter of Francisca and Edward Patterson; cherished mother of Francesca, Octavius, Joseph, Edwardo, Aisa, and Tracey; wife and widow of Clyde Glenn; loving sister of America Colon (Patterson); beloved grandmother of Nyeshia, Olympia, Lucianna, Leia, Omar, Sascha, Soriya, Carlos, Carmen, Jose, Josephina, Francisco, Maria, Shyheim, Edwardo Jr., Genisha, Aisa, Justine, Desanaia, Tyquan, and Isaiah and granddaughter of Anna Maria and Tribucio Valenzuela. 

Funeral arrangements are all being handled by Stradford Funeral Home at 1241 Castleton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310.  Viewing is Wednesday August 11, 2021 from 09:00 - 11:00 AM; the Funeral Service is at 11:00 AM followed by the interment at 01:00 PM at Rosehill Cemetery in Linden, NJ.

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