Francesca Lio

Francesca Lio SchenectadyFrancesca Lio, 91, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2012 at her residence after a brief illness. Francesca was born June 23, 1920 in Pianopoli, Italy to Domenico and Giusepinna Donato Nanci. She was educated in Italy and emigrated to Canada in 1952 and came to America in 1960. Francesca married Pietro Lio in 1940 in Pianopoli, Italy, who died on July 11, 1994. She was a seamstress at Cheltingham Manufacturing Co. in Schenectady, retiring in 1968. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved to cook and sew. Francesca especially liked to create wedding dresses during her years as a seamstress. Survivors include her two sons, Gino (Dolly) Lio and Dominick (Maureen) Lio; her grandchildren, Lisa Lio, Michele (Donald) Palmo, Dominick (Nicole) Lio Jr., and Matthew (Suzanne) Lio; great-grandchildren, Keegan Palmo, Sophia Palmo, Jonah Lio and Maddelena Lio. Francesca is also survived by a loving sister-in-law, Stephanie Nanci, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Thomas Nanci (Josephine) and Frank Nanci (Stephanie). Calling hours will be held Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the DeMarcoStone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Schenectady. Services will begin at 9:15 Tuesday morning, from the funeral home, thence to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church for a Mass at 10 o'clock. Entombment will follow at Evergreen Mausaleum. Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.