Obituary of Frances Besteni

Frances Besteni Castellanos entered this world on July 11, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York. But her story was never just about where she was born—it was about the incredible journey she took and the countless lives she touched along the way. When she was 7 years old, her parents, Leopoldo and Emilia Castellanos, returned to their native Cuba with their daughters, Cary and Frances, and their son, Walter. Frances embraced her Cuban heritage with pride and passion. Yet, despite her deep love for Cuba, she never renounced her American citizenship—a decision that would shape her destiny and define the resilience she carried throughout her life. It was the first of many examples of the strength beneath the kind exterior that was Frances. Frances earned her Doctorate in Pedagogy from the University of Habana. In August 1957, she married the love of her life, Felipe Besteni, and in June 1958, they welcomed their only daughter, Barbara. Thanks to Frances’ decision to keep her American citizenship instead of renouncing it, she was able to leave Cuba and Castro’s communist government. Arriving in Miami with only her three-year-old daughter, she navigated an uncertain situation with unwavering determination. Six months later, her beloved Felipe joined them, and as fate would have it, the family eventually settled in Brooklyn before returning to Miami in 1992. Frances found her greatest fulfillment in caring for her family, pouring love into every meal she cooked—her frijoles negros and arroz con pollo were legendary. But she wasn’t just a phenomenal cook; she was a creative force with an amazing attention to detail. She turned gift-wrapping into an art form, poured her heart into scrapbooking, and penned poetry that spoke of love, life, and laughter. And speaking of laughter … She loved to laugh! Give her just a few sips of wine, and she couldn’t stop laughing. In her middle years, she began keeping a diary, making it a habit to write down even the smallest details of her day. That continued until October 2024, when the arthritis in her hands no longer allowed her to document her life. Frances had a way of making lifelong friends wherever she went. She was wise, witty, and deeply compassionate, and loved others as much as they loved her. When Felipe passed unexpectedly in 2015, Frances found herself at a crossroads. Though she had never spent a day alone in her life, she chose to remain independent, proving once again the strength that defined her. At 87, she maintained her home, healed from a femur fracture, hit the gym three times a week, and never missed a Sunday Mass until it became too difficult for her to get around even with her walker. But that didn’t stop her devotion to the Lord. If you looked in on her through the Canary security camera in her bedroom at 6:30 a.m. on any given Sunday, you could catch her watching the Spanish-language mass on television. In her later years, she found joy in the simple things—watching The Food Channel, chatting with “Alexa,” and searching through Facebook with Barb. Whenever something notable happened, she would say, “Barbarita, put that on Facebook!” As a result, she was able to touch the hearts of people she had never met in person but who also came to love her. She was a fighter until the end, with a clear mind and a warm heart that always gave great advice. And if you ever questioned her ways of thinking, she would say: “Cuando tengan mi edad se van a recordar de mi.” (When you are my age, you will remember me.) On March 18, 2025, Frances reunited with her beloved Felipe, her parents Leopoldo and Emilia, her sister Cary, and her nephew Daniel Castellanos, who she loved as a son. She is survived by her brother Walter Castellanos, daughter Barbara, Barbara’s partner Kelly Poolson, grandniece Marai Castellanos, and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins. Each night, Barb would end her daily phone conversations with Frances by saying, “I love you.” Frances’ response was always: “I love you more.” With her daughter at her bedside, those were Frances’ last words on earth. Although she will be missed, the legacy of love, wisdom, and warmth Frances left behind will live forever in the hearts of those she touched. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Joseph A. Scarano Funeral Home, 9000 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024. Visiting hours are from 4 P.M. – 8 P.M. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frances’ honor to the following: • Magical Canine Connections, an Animal Assisted Therapy Program created in memory of Karma, the Mini Australian Shepherd whose love helped Frances through her recovery from femur surgery. Donations to sponsor a therapy dog in training can be sent in any of the following ways. Please add a note stating the donation is being made in honor of Frances Besteni. Check: Humanek9, 13271 NW 11th Drive, Sunrise, FL, 33323 Zelle: 954-288-1021 Venmo:@humanek9 • Saving Sage Purr Return to Field program Frances loved cats, and they loved her. Your donation to the Return to Field (RTF) program helps to humanely manage community cat populations. By funding spay/neuter surgeries, vaccinations, and returning healthy cats to their outdoor homes, you’re helping reduce overpopulation and giving these cats a better life. To donate, visit https://www.savingsagerescue.org/donate and click the Give Now button in the Return to Field Program section. Please add a note stating the donation is being made in honor of Frances Besteni. Please keep the Besteni family in your thoughts and prayers The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel is Honored to assist the Besteni family with the arrangements.