Obituary: Frances (Norko) Franco, 97, of Hamden

HAMDEN, CT - (From Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home) Frances (Norko) Franco, wife of the late John E. Franco, entered into eternal rest on December 16, 2021. She was a resident of Hamden for over fifty years.

Mrs. Franco was born on October 29, 1924 in Bridgeport, daughter of the late William and Anna (Liscinsky) Norko.

She is survived by her daughter Deborah (Bernard) FitzSimons of Hamden, and son John E. (Nanette) Franco, Jr. of Cheshire, and grandsons Bernard (Gabrielle Steele) FitzSimons V of The Dalles, Oregon and Scott FitzSimons (Berenice Santos) of Cheshire. She is also survived by sister-in-law Nancy Porto of Hamden, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by sisters Mary Pascone, Caroline Angelini, and Dorothy Germano, and brothers Stephen, Frank, and William Norko.

Along with her husband of 38 years, she was the owner of the Franco Beverage Company. During the 20 years of its existence the business operated in several locations in the Hill section of New Haven.

After the business was sold, she worked part-time at Kuehl’s Drug Store in the Spring Glen section of Hamden.

Mrs. Franco later became an employee of the Second New Haven/Colonial Bank in the customer service department. She retired in 1985. Mrs. Franco was a communicant of St. Rita’s Church.

She enjoyed knitting, reading, lunch outings with the ladies, trips to the casino, and visits with her grandchildren. She was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and UCONN Women’s basketball.

Her family would like to thank her caregivers, Carmen and Sandra, for their devotion to Frances in the last few years of her life.

Friends may visit with her family Monday, December 27th from 5-7 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden, and are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial in Divine Mercy-St. Rita Parish on Tuesday, December 28th at 10 a.m.

Interment will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Donations in her honor may be made to Gaylord Hospital, P.O. Box 400, Wallingford, CT 06492, or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284.