Frances "Francesca" Zito

ZITO, Frances "Francesca" (Martiello)

Frances "Francesca" (Martiello) Zito, 91, of West Hartford, beloved wife of 62 years to the late Rocco Zito, died Wednesday, (December 24, 2003) at the Reservoir Harborside Facility, West Hartford. Frances was born in Montescaglioso, Province of Matera, Italy, daughter of the late Donato and Marianna Martiello. Frances was a lifelong resident of West Hartford. She lived on Newington Rd., Elmwood for 54 years and recently at the Court of St. James for the past four years. Her passion was her family and interests in many friends. She cooked many beautiful meals. She worked as a dressmaker and altered many a bridal and bridesmaid gowns and enjoyed sewing for her family. Frances is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, George R. and Michele Zito of Rocky Hill; two daughters and sons-in-law, Millie Z. and Robert Strickland of West Hartford and Mary Ann Z. and Robert Jones of Pinellas Park, FL; a sister-in-law, Rosa Zito of Newington; nine grandchildren, Ted Strickland and his wife, Susan of Madison, Marie Jones and her husband, Randy of Palm Coast, FL, Dan Strickland and his wife, Bonnie of Northboro, MA, Michele Gilman and her husband, Stuart of Salem, Mark Strickland and his wife, Cheryl of Stafford, Jason R. Zito and Craig M. Zito of Rocky Hill, Robyn Parton and her husband, David and Travis Jones of St. Petersburg, FL; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Frances was predeceased by three sisters, Filomena Venezia, Nancy Gatti and Anna Gagliardi. Funeral procession will be Monday, Dec. 29, 9:15 a.m. from the Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Helena, Echo Lane, West Hartford. Burial will be in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Calling hours will be Sunday, 2-5 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Agnes Family Center, 104 Mayflowers St., West Hartford, CT 06110 or the Church of St. Helena, 30 Echo Lane, West Hartford, CT 06107.