Frances Marie (Zito) Bartolotta

“A faithful friend is the medium of life.”

Frances Marie (Zito) Bartolotta, beloved wife of 33 years to the late Salvatore Bartolotta, passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2018. She was born January 30, 1922 to Giulia (Pugliese) and Vito M. Zito of Manchester and remained a lifelong resident of this town.

After graduating from Manchester High School in 1940, she was hired as the legal secretary to then Attorney Jay Rubinow and remained employed with that evolving law firm, retiring in 1991 from Labelle, Labelle and Naab. Frances was always proud to have worked for two partners who went on to become a superior court judge and the other, a state attorney.

She loved the theater and traveling. The most notable adventure was a family trip to Italy to be reunited with loved ones. With her parent’s purchase of a beach house, summertime included stays or visits to Crescent Beach for over 70 years, creating some of our most cherished memories.

Frances was admired for her fairness, wisdom and integrity. She was treasured for her faithfulness, dedication and humor which was lavished on family and friends. Thanksgivings and Christmas Eves at her home were times to reflect most on the blessing of her nurturing presence in our lives.

Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Matteo and Angelo Zito and her sister Antoinette (Zito) Kenefick. Frances is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mariann and Alfonso D’Antonio of Storrs and her son and daughter-in-law Peter and Pam Bartolotta of Niantic. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren Kathryn, Rachel and Francesca D’Antonio and Andrew and Anthony Bartolotta; along with her brother-in-law, Dr. Edward Kenefick as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was especially close to her nephews Edward Kenefick III and Frank Zito, as well as their families.

Thank you to all her caregivers throughout the years, especially Dr. Hanna, Dr. Zariphes, Dr. DeMarcaida and Vida Osei-Lamptey. Special gratitude for her neighbors Sixto and Bonnie Delgado for also helping out over the years.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 30, 2018 at 9 AM at the Manchester Funeral Home (142 E. Center St., Manchester) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM at St. Bridget Church (80 Main St., Manchester). Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery (Manchester). Family and Friends may call Sunday, April 29 from 4 – 7 PM at the funeral home.

Respecting her passion for justice and aversion to war, donations in her memory may be made to The Carter Foundation, in lieu of flowers.  To sign the online memorial guestbook, please visit www.manchesterfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frances Marie (Zito) Bartolotta, please visit our floral store.