Frances "Fran" Rose Epilone's Obituary
Frances “Fran” Rose (Livigni) Epilone, beloved Mother, Nanny, Great Grandmother, Sister, and Friend, passed away at her daughter’s home in Tampa, Florida, on January 26, 2024, after a brief medical battle. Born on August 17, 1934, in New York, New York, Fran was married to Joseph Epilone, who preceded her in death in 2008.
A proud Mother who was loved beyond measure, Fran is survived by her children Gregory (Debra) Epilone, Jane (Vranae Pavlich) Epilone, and Christine (George) Demmers, along with 13 grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and her sister Angelina (Salvatore – dec.) Galletto. She passed in peace with the unwavering faith she would soon be reunited with her dearly departed children, Dennis Epilone (1959 – 2012) and Rita Epilone (1955 – 2023).
“Babe,” a nickname she earned as the youngest of the six children in her family, was predeceased by her sisters Josephine (Anthony) DeAngelis, Rose (Nicholas) D’Amico, and Beatrice Ciacciarelli, along with her brother Joseph (Irene) Livigni.
Fran embodied the phrase ‘Family First’ from her early days as a mother on Long Island, NY, until the day she passed. As a stay-at-home Mom, she was always there to meet her growing family’s needs. From weekend BBQs on the Island for their family in Queens to evening dinner parties to being the ‘place to be’ for all the kids’ neighborhood friends, she was always there with a welcoming smile and a plate of food big enough to feed the most voracious eater.
As her youngest children began middle school, Fran was ready to take on additional challenges and decided to enter the professional workforce. Based on her natural ability and passion for giving others enjoyment, she decided to begin work in the restaurant industry as a server, where she enjoyed a successful career that spanned 20 years. In 1992, Fran and Joe moved to Florida, where she worked as a server until she finally retired in 1995.
Fran was fun, she was funny, she was a loving mother and a loyal friend. But, more than that, she was incredibly selfless and never seemed to realize how special it was that she always put others before herself. No matter what was going on in her own life, she was the first person to reach out a hand if her family or friends needed anything. She always cared more for what other people needed than what she needed or wanted, and she lived that way quite literally until her last day on this earth.
If you were fortunate enough to be inside Fran’s circle of friends and family, you somehow knew someone had your back – someone who expected nothing in return except the same love she shared with you.
A woman of small stature with a lion’s heart, Fran was truly one of a kind and will be missed more than she ever would have realized. We can only hope that now she is somewhere she can see herself the way we all saw her.
Friends and family may visit the Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5750 49th St North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 on Monday, January 29, 2024. Visitation is available from 1 pm – 3 pm and will include a brief Celebration of Life at approximately 2pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Frances "Fran"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Frances "Fran"?
Share a story where Frances "Fran"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Frances "Fran" you’ll never forget.
How did Frances "Fran" make you smile?