Frances Katherine Bultman

Frances Katherine (Carpino) Bultman – the anchor of our family -- passed peacefully on July 12, 2025. Frances was a strong-willed, generous-hearted, family-centric woman, who kept an open heart and overflowing dining room table.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1931, Frances grew up in Glendale, Queens, where her beloved husband Paul first met her when she was 15 years old. It took five years before they married, but Paul was the love of her life, and when she lost him 36 years ago it was sheer will and faith that kept her going. After marrying, they moved to Hicksville, Long Island and raised their two sons. Later, welcoming her mother and grandmother to the family home. In addition, there was always a well-loved dog.

She worked for many years, including the years after her husband's death, as a bus matron for developmentally disabled children, helping get students in wheelchairs on and off their buses.

When her eldest son, Joseph, died after a heart transplant in 2022, Frances' strong faith and will carried her through. She contained a quiet force, and unwavering conviction –and yet remained generous and welcoming and kind to all.

Frances was close to her three grandsons, Jake, Zachary, and Henry, and was lucky to have Zachary only a LIRR ride away for the past dozen years. They developed a special friendship only a grandmother and grandson can share.

She was thrilled to meet her first great-grandchild, Louie Joseph, who visited from California with his parents Henry and Rose last fall.

She was always under the watchful, generous care of her son Paul and his husband, Steve, who took her into their home, tended to her, had Sunday dinners with her, and were the very essence of what family should be, up until her final day on this side of heaven. Her love and appreciation for them was boundless.

For many years, she made regular visits to California, where her grandsons grew up, so they could develop the intimacy and friendship with her that geography made challenging. She spent patient hours reading to them, playing with them, walking to the store for Entenmann's, making her fluffy meatballs, and vacuuming for her grateful daughter-in-law, Elaine.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Katherine, her husband Paul, her brother Russell, her son Joseph, and too many other family and friends.

She is survived by her son Paul (Steve), daughter-in-law Elaine, grandsons Jake, Zach and Henry (Rose) and great – grandson Louie. Also survived by nephews, cousins and many friends.

She was fierce, elegant and lovely. And she will be missed so very much.

Donations can be made to North Shore Animal League or God's Love We Deliver in Frances' memory