Frances LoCicero Amico died peacefully at the age of 98 on Saturday February 13, 2021, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford CT. Daughter of the late James LoCicero and Antonina Raiata LoCicero, she was born August 15, 1922 in Palermo, Sicily. Her family moved from Italy to the U.S. in 1923 and settled in Stamford CT, where Fran spent her childhood and adult years until a move in 2017 to Atria Larson Place in Hamden CT. She was the second of five children, all of whom lived into their 90s. She was predeceased by sisters Nancy Francesconi, Helen Locicero and Adeline Veneziano.
Fran graduated from Stamford High School in 1939. The first in her family to go to college, she studied elementary education at New Haven State Teachers College (now Southern Connecticut State University) and graduated in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science. She taught elementary and adult education in Stamford Public Schools.
Frances married fellow educator Anthony Amico in 1950. Fran and Tony strongly believed in the value of a good education, and instilled that belief in their two children. She was preceded in death by her son Robert Amico in 1974, and she was widowed in 1987. She was married to Frank Melatti from 1991 until his death in 2000.
Frances is survived by her daughter Carol Amico and son-in-law Scott Morrow of North Haven CT, her grandchildren Amy Morrow of Cohasset MA and Jesse Morrow of Providence RI, her brother James LoCicero of Columbia SC, and her beloved nieces and nephews. She was deeply devoted to her family, and took great pride in her parents, her siblings, her children and her grandchildren.
She was a life-long learner who continued to be involved in the world around her. Fran enjoyed travel, most especially trips to Italy, U.S. national parks, and cruises, and she appreciated good food, particularly Italian cuisine. In later years she took up nature photography, and won first place for a submission to Stamford Camera Club.
Fran was an active member of Union Memorial Congregational Church in Stamford. She had leadership roles with Stamford Senior Center, Institute for Retired People, and was active at Tully Fitness Center. Fran was a lover of classical music, especially symphony orchestra and opera, and she enjoyed subscriptions to Stamford Symphony and Metropolitan Opera.
Admired for her compassion and her intellect, Fran was resilient, thoughtful, deliberate and principled. She was gregarious and cheerful, made friends easily, and had an impish sense of humor. Fran avidly followed the UConn Huskies women’s basketball team, and she was a staunch supporter of women’s advancement in politics and other arenas.
A Celebration of Life via Zoom will take place on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 2 PM EST. Please email FranAmicoMemorial@gmail.com to obtain the Zoom link.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions in the name of Frances Amico may be made toward scholarships for University of Connecticut students as designated by the Amico family. Checks payable to The UConn Foundation, Inc can be mailed to 2390 Alumni Dr., Unit 3206, Storrs CT 06269-3206.