Frances Nora Iorio

Frances Nora Iorio, aka “Fran”, “Mom”, “Grandma”, “Mimi”, and “Sugar”, was 85 years old surrounded by family and friends, when she passed away Friday, May 29, 2020, in her home in Port St. Lucie, Florida, after her courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

She was born in Brooklyn, New York, as one of eight children in a large Italian family. She started her working career at just 16 years old as a bookkeeper at a bank when she met her first husband, US Navy Sailor, Frank Marino. She showed grit and determination as a Navy Wife and they raised 6 wonderful children.

She was a strong independent woman who owned multiple businesses including a dairy store, a luncheonette and a deli. Later in life she enjoyed driving a school bus until she moved to Florida in 1984. Her soon-to-be husband Carmine (aka “Pop”, “Papa”) followed shortly after, marrying in 1986 and enjoying a loving marriage until his death in 2017.

Mom was a diehard Mets fan and loved bowling, swimming, gardening, doing puzzles, crocheting , playing dominos, baking and cooking. Her favorite times were those spent in the kitchen with her family cooking Sunday meatballs, gravy, and macaroni, or baking love knots, bowties, biscotti and pizzelles.

Her true passion was for her family and friends and she created a spot in her heart and home for everyone she met. Her sons-in-law Mike and Howard cooked countless meals, walked Cookie for miles and made more trips to stores than Uber! She loved her friends, Terry, Geri, Joe, Eddie and Shellie and they loved her dearly. Terry and Geri were not just there for the good times but endured and lovingly cared for her throughout her illness. Joe and Eddie were always willing to help no matter the hour or short notice and Shellie provided comic relief for all. We will be forever grateful to all of you and many others too numerous to mention.

More than anything, Mom loved her children and their families. It’s impossible to put into words the love a mother has for her children and our Mom was no exception. She had our backs no matter what and no one came before her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She was a fierce defender of her family but also knew how to hold them accountable which helped them become loving, respectful, independent adults. Mom’s voice could often be heard in our heads, “Do the right thing” - - prompting us to do so even when no one was watching. She taught us life lessons that she then taught to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her loss will be felt on a level that can’t really be described. How do we put into words the lifelong love of our Mom? How do we encapsulate the joys and tears shared throughout a lifetime of togetherness? The many tough love discussions along with many nights of staying awake when one of your 6 kids were sick. Always there to listen, lean on and give us all the best advice. Getting us through our first heartbreak, cheering us on when we felt lost and defeated, sharing in our happiest moments and deepest sadness. Funny how all those sad moments become inconsequential when faced with the ultimate loss of your mom. So many little things she did on a regular basis that were often overlooked and taken for granted because as she said “Oh, it’s just what moms do!”

Our Mom was a great cook, quick-witted, quick to laugh and even quicker to yell when needed. She made our clothes when we were kids, cut our hair, reupholstered the furniture, made drapes and cleaned the house - - until, of course, she realized she had six built-in housekeepers at her disposal! She was quick to make friends who adopted her as their surrogate mom. She was loved by so many people who also share our grief and will help us mourn her loss. Our mom was a beautiful woman with eyes so dazzling green that even strangers were compelled to compliment them. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for you if she loved you and nothing she wouldn’t do to you if you crossed one of her kids! (So watch out for that slipper flying at you and don’t dig too deep in the backyard! LOL)

She doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mom worked hard and saved her whole life so that she could give them the best of everything. Together, they baked cookies, spent hours in the pool, ate pounds and pounds of pasta, played card games, read books, practiced spelling and more. During sleepovers poor Papa was banished to the guest room so they could enjoy movies in bed with Mimi. And oh, how they laughed! She always made sure they were learning something new, enjoying themselves to the fullest, and ensured they never went anywhere without full stomachs and without fully knowing she loved them. Mimi, you gave us everything.

We could go on forever about our mom but not even the internet is big enough to hold it all. Our hearts are really broken, but a broken heart is a well-loved heart. Our tears continue to fall, and our memories will live in our hearts and minds for the rest of our days. Nothing will be able to fill the void she leaves behind… our Mom, our Grandma, our Mimi, our best friend.

Mom, we know you didn’t leave us by choice but now that you left this earth, we can finally have the last word: we love YOU more!

Although Mom is joining her first baby, Joanne, in heaven, she is survived by her other children: Phyllis (Howard) Marino, Anne (Mike) Bowers, Frances (Mike) Tucker, Frank Marino, Lori (Beth) Windfeldt-Marino, Jody (Steve) Marino , as well as her surrogate son, John Herzberg; her beloved grandchildren : Joe (Jenny) Grassia, Nora (Pat) Bailey, Alyssa Porter, Kate Windfeldt-Marino; her cherished great-grandchildren; Nikki, Anthony, Isabella and Sofia Grassia, Giovanna Bailey; and her loving brother Vincent “Jimmy” Ciccarelli. And extended family, nieces, nephews, cousins and many others too numerous to list.

She is preceded in death by her parents Felice and Josephine Ciccarelli (thank you Grandma for sneakily eating all the food Mom wanted us to eat that was good for us but we hated); brothers Phillip “Junior” Ciccarelli, Gennaro “Jerry” Ciccarelli and Pasquale “Patsy” Ciccarelli; sister Jeanette Vlantis; half-sisters Fortunata Tremante and Mary Maturo; and beloved pup, Cookie.

A memorial tribute to Mom has not been finalized but will be shared at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that memorial contributions be made in her honor to Treasure Coast Hospice: https://www.treasurehealth.org/292/Donate or St Lucie County Humane Society: https://www.hsslc.org/p/9/donate#.XtUf-sB7mbg .