Frances Ricci, 86, of Enfield, widow of John B. Ricci (Jan. 15, 2020), joined John, the love of her life, in eternity on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, upon her passing from complications of COVID-19. Born in Hartford on October 13, 1934, Fran was the daughter of the late Thomas and Frances (Carino) Sirianni. Fran attended public schools in Hartford and graduated as valedictorian from Bulkely High School in 1952. Fran turned down an academic scholarship to UCONN to marry John on June 27, 1953 and start their family, sharing more than 65 years together. She was retired as Office Manager from the former Williams Ford in West Hartford, having worked in the automotive industry for over 40 years. Fran loved doing crossword puzzles in red ink and reading cookbooks, was a wonderful cook and got hooked on watching the Connecticut Women’s Huskies with John. Most of all, her life was her family. As a beloved matriarch, she loved spending time with them during holidays, gatherings, and special occasions meant everything to her.
Fran is survived by her children, Thomas Ricci of Somers, Frances Barrett of South Windsor, John Ricci, Jr., and his wife, Debbie, of Westfield, MA, Jody Stankiewicz and her husband Michael, of Enfield; her grandchildren, Regina Ricci of Rowlett, TX, Christine Ricci and her husband Timothy Lesniak, of Stafford Springs, Amy Page and her husband Andrew of North Yarmouth, ME, Lauren Griffin and her husband Brian of Dayville, Jenna Heft and her husband, Tyler of Wethersfield, Jonathan Stankiewicz and his wife Holli, of Enfield, and Michael Stankiewicz of Manchester; her great-grandchildren, Tuuli and Aalto Page, Riley, Kalyn, Khloe and Cade Griffin. Fran will be sincerely missed by Bill Newman, her friend and colleague of many years along with many nieces, nephews and good friends. Fran was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Patricia (Hannigan) Ricci as well as two brothers, Paul and Thomas Sirianni, and two sisters, Mary Pauline Frontroth and Mary Angela Calaci. Fran’s family thanks her caregivers, especially Mike and Jody, for their kind and selfless care.
Her family will celebrate her life with visitation hours from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield followed by a procession to St. Bernard Church of St. Jeanne Jugan Parish, Enfield for a 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Committal will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery. In the meantime, friends and family may email inmemoryoffranricci@gmail.com with contact information to participate in a virtual family gathering via Zoom. Donations in Fran's memory may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at www.bcrf.org/donate
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