Frances Bombaci

Frances Buccheri Bombaci of Farmington, CT passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of Monday, December 9, 2024 just a few weeks after turning 100. She was born on Sunday, September 28,1924 in Sortino, Sicily, she was the eldest child and only daughter of 4 children.

After falling in love with her late husband Vincent Bombaci in Italy, she was married in the beautiful church at the center of Sortino, Sicily where Vincent’s family was also from. When she was finally able to immigrate to America on May 5, 1951 Frances and Vincent lived in a six flat with other family members eventually moving into a beautiful home on Frances Street in New Britain, CT. They lived for decades just blocks from Belvidere Barber Shop (Vinny's). Eventually she would move to an Independent Assisted Living facility where Francis has been under the loving, safe keeping of her Caregiver Julia and her daughters Rosie and Hayat for nearly two decades.

She worked for over two decades for Black and Decker, retiring just a year before full pension retirement benefits to help raise her first Grandchild! Family and friends were very important to Frances.

She had many close friends especially in the six family Sortinese Club. Frances and Vincent were very active members in the Santa Sophia Society. They would get together to cook, gossip, play games and travel together. As the families in the Club began having more and more children, then grandchildren, they would gather at the shore every summer for a Club picnic. The culinary delights could fill a block of Italian delis and bakeries. The Club and its members stayed a very important part of her life and legacy.

Frances loved hosting, not only with her friends but with her family. Her three Grandchildren would often play in their yard with the hill and in their basement where Vinny had his in-home barber shop. She would host Sunday dinners with her children and grandchildren, using ingredients from Vinny's garden. Family remembers her cooking with immense admiration with specialities like her homemade Sicilian pizza. She hosted Holidays, especially Easter where she’d make her famous manicotti; hand making each one, one-at-a-time, in a special skillet just for their creation.

Like many Italian immigrants, she saved $1.25 for every $1 they made, kept plastic wrap on the furniture, wrapped her cash in tinfoil and never got her driver's license. She was a wonderful storyteller who loved looking at her variety of photo albums of all her loved ones. She also loved to dance and sing - especially her favorite song “Che La Luna” - which she sang even through her final days.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of over 50 years Vincent, her parents, Ludovico and Vincenza, brother Vincenzino and his wife Antoinette of Sortino, Sicily, Sister-in-Law, Pia Buccheri of Genova, her two nephews.

Frances is survived by her Son, Frank, Daughter-In-Law, Jackie, Daughter, Maryanne and former spouse Bruce, 3 Grandchildren, Frankie, Stefany and Bruce Jr, 2 Great-Grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews, numerous Godchildren as well as her brothers Salvatore and Franco, Sister-In-Law, Gina Buccheri all of Genova, Italy and several nieces and nephew's who also reside in Italy. (She was the only one of her siblings to immigrate to America.)

We celebrate 100 years of Frances - a beautiful life lived amazingly through friends, family and song. You will be remembered and missed. Ciao Chichina.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The American Diabetes Association.

Calling Hours will be held on Sunday December 15, 2024 from 4PM to 7PM. A brief gathering will be held on Monday December 16, 2024 at New Britain Memorial-Sagarino Funeral Home 444 Farmington Ave. New Britain from 9AM to 9:30 AM. A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Monday December 16, 2024 at St Francis of Assisi Church 1755 Stanley St. New Britain CT. Interment Service will be held immediately following at St Mary's Cemetery 1141 Stanley St New Britain