Frances Rose Bilotti, 86, of Livingston, NJ, passed away peacefully on April 20th. Frances lived life to the fullest, and was truly a force to be reckoned with. She was small, but she was mighty. Those she touched will forever remember her laughter, kindness and never-ending generosity.
Frances was born in Jersey City, the daughter of the late Salvatore and Frances Altimari (Mancuso). Less than eight minutes later, she was followed by her twin sister, Louise. They would spend the next 86 years sharing a bond that only twins could share. They loved each other fiercely, always there for each other during life’s various ups and downs. Every picture of the two of them show two beautiful women, usually very tan and very happy.
Drawn to care for others, Frances completed nurses training in Jersey City and began her career as a nurse. A career that would span the next 68 years, including 25 years working as an OR nurse at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. Ask anyone she ever worked with and they’ll tell you that Fran loved her job. She was wonderful at interacting with patients and putting their fears at ease. She was a great mentor to the younger nurses and she would always tell them “you need to do something you really love.” She touched countless lives doing what she loved as a nurse, all undoubtedly better for having known her.
At the age of 76, Frances took the leap with her daughter and grandson to move to Belgium for four years. New country, new language, new house and surroundings…she was fearless, nothing slowed her down. In her first week in Belgium she could be seen doing double Dutch with some local children. She never missed the opportunity to strut her stuff. She was the consummate traveler as the three of them traveled to more than 30 countries during those four years.
Frances dedicated her life to her children, Gina and Jimmy. During the early years, times were tough and they didn’t have much, but she worked 3 jobs to ensure her children never wanted for anything. She always had a special bond with her son, Jimmy. From becoming the first female T-ball coach to being heard cheering him on in the crowd, she was his biggest fan. They were soulmates. She couldn’t have been prouder of the man he grew up to be. The words “My Jimmy” or “My Gina” were never far from her lips. She used to joke that her bra broke from how far her chest stuck out with pride for her children.
Frances was also an incredible Nanny to her grandson, her Chuchee Chuchola, Jake. He was the love of her life from his very first breath. And she reminded him daily that she was the first person to hold him when he was born. When he was young and would call for his Nanny from somewhere in the house, she could be heard saying “Here comes Nanny, Nanny is coming!” Hundreds of times a day. She was so proud of him and he’s so blessed to have had her there for all of the important moments in his life.
At the end of the day, Frances was elegance and beauty. She never met a sale she didn’t like, and her wardrobe was enviable. She never left the house looking anything less than beautiful, dressed impeccably, ready to turn heads. She was brave and unstoppable whether it was parasailing, indoor sky diving or white water rafting. She’d often be heard saying “There’s no such word as can’t in the dictionary.” And she lived those words till the very end.
Frances is survived by her twin sister, Louise, her younger brother Michael, her daughter Gina, son Jimmy, grandson Jake and dozens of cousins and nephews. She’s predeceased by her older brother, Salvatore, whom certainly was waiting at the gates to Heaven to welcome her.
Frances has undoubtedly left an indelible impression on all those she loved. Her spirit, determination and love for life will live on in those she left behind. She will be missed beyond words.
Visitation for Frances will be held Friday, April 26, 2024 from 4 PM to 8 PM at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home located at 145 E. Mt Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ. Mass will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Raphael located at 346 E. Mt Pleasant Ave, Livingston, NJ.
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