Ventura Franco Israel
Ventura Franco IsraelVentura was born on June 6, 1915, two years after her parents Simontov and Dona Nahmias immigrated from Turkey. She attended Pacific grade school and Broadway school. She became a strong, independent young woman, facing many challenges and working many jobs to help her family after the death of her father in 1928.
On April 11, 2016, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. Ventura was a classy, incredible woman who lived an amazing 100-1/2 years! Loved by so many, she was everyone's Noni, or Auntie Ven, whether related or not.
Ventura was blessed to have two fabulous men in her life. She moved to Los Angeles and married her sweetheart, Maurice D. Franco. They returned to Seattle to open Franco's Florist on Broadway. They were married for 35 wonderful years until he passed in 1970. Six years later she married Morris N. Israel and spent 13 happy years together until he passed in 1989.
Her involvement in the Seattle Jewish Community included being a member of the Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, the Ladies Auxiliary, and being a volunteer for the Kline Galland Home. Her passion was playing Pan every Thursday with her wonderful and loving friends. Ventura was 1 of 30 women to be featured in the Jewish Women's Archives, "Weaving Women's Words". The story of her life is part of the Jewish Archives at the UW, and can also be found online.
Ventura was preceded in death by her husbands, Maurice D. Franco, Morris N. Israel; her son, David M. Franco, her sister, Sally Alhadeff; her brothers, Marco, Joseph, Mike, Sabati and Albert. She is survived by her daughter Rita R. Peha; brother, Isaac Nahmias; Grandchildren, Donna Salomon and Joseph McGaffey; 4 Great Grandchildren, Justin Salomon, Morgan Salomon, Chloe' McGaffey and Jasmyn McGaffey, many nieces, nephews, and wonderful cousins.
Services will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, April 13th at Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave N., Seattle, and burial at the Sephardic Brotherhood Cemetery, 1230 N 167th St., Seattle. Remembrances can be made to the charity of your choice.
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