Frances Mary Andrade

FRANCES MARY SOARES ANDRADE

July 14, 1932-September 30, 2025

Frances Mary (Soares) Andrade, 93, of Bridgeport, CT entered eternal rest on September 30, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

Frances was the youngest child born to Peter John Soares and Laura Piedade Soares of Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde. Frances, better known as "CheCha," was a lifelong resident of Bridgeport. A graduate of Central High School in Bridgeport, Frances attended Butler Business School during a time in our nation's history when financial, systemic, and institutional barriers made it difficult for people of color to pursue post-high school education. After finishing Butler Business School, Frances began her professional career as a Purchasing Clerk at Mitchell Brothers, followed by a position as an Accounts Receivable Clerk at Levitts Department Store. In both positions, Frances broke the color line by becoming the first professional black woman employed at these venues.

In 1954, Frances married Clifton (Quileto) Andrade and took a brief respite from work to raise her family. When her youngest child was of school age, Frances resumed her career as a Billing Clerk at Frigitronics in Shelton, CT. Several years later, Frances took the Civil Service test and began working for the City of Bridgeport at Dinan Memorial Center, first, as a Ward Secretary in the Patient Accounts Department and, subsequently, as a Clerk in the main office in the Patient Accounts Receivable Department. A few years later, Frances left Dinan Memorial Center to take on the last job of her long-standing career as an employee of the City of Bridgeport where she served as a Clerk for the Bridgeport Police Department until she retired in 1998.

Still vibrant and energetic even after her retirement, Frances was elated to accept a part-time position as Parish Secretary for Blessed Sacrament Church-her parish for more than 60 years! Francis worked at Blessed Sacrament Church for 15 years until she fully retired in 2013.

Frances was extremely involved in the Cape Verdean community in Bridgeport. Her participation and service in the Cape Verdean Women's Social Club (CVWSC) follows in the footsteps of her mother, Laura, and her sister Anna. Frances was a proud and active member of the CVWSC for over 50 years and served in various capacities and finally, as the Secretary of Correspondence. In 2013, she was one of the honorees celebrated at the Annual CVWSC Anni

versary Scholarship Dinner, at which she received an award for her support and dedication to the Cape Verdean community.

Frances and Clifton Andrade were blessed with four daughters who are left to cherish her memory: Donna Andrade, Lora (George) Andrade-Cauthen, Linda Wortham, all of CT, and Margaret (Peggie Andrade) Francis of Covington, GA, 7 surviving grandchildren: Davon Holloway of AZ, Atea Francis (Jessica) of GA, Dominga Holloway of CT, Bianca Francis of Praia, Cape Verde, Frank Holloway of AZ, Alana Cauthen of NY, Jenna Smith of CT, 14 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Frances was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Clifton (Quileto) Andrade, three brothers: John (Slogy) Soares, Antonio (Tony) Soares, Teophilus (Tobby) Soares, one sister, Anna Soares, all of CT, and grandsons Hosea Travis Holloway of CT and Reshaun Kyell Andrade of GA.