Frances Branco

Naugatuck- Frances V. Branco, 81, wife of the late Joao O. Branco, Sr., passed away on Monday, November 06, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital with her loving family by her side.

Frances was born on May 21, 1936 in Naugatuck, a daughter of the late Antonio and Maria (Amador) Vieira. Frances lived in Naugatuck her entire life and graduated from Naugatuck High School in1954. Frances was a secretary at the Andrew Ave School for over 20 years, and was highly treasured by her Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home family, where she worked for 17 years. Frances was involved in many clubs and organizations in Naugatuck. She was a member of the Clube União Portuguesa where she served as trustee and the president of Clube União Portuguesa Ladies Auxiliary club for ten terms. She was an active member of the Naugatuck Women’s Club, the Naugatuck Visiting Nurses Association, Naugatuck TRIAD and the Naugatuck Red Cross. She was the 2002 Naugatuck Portuguese Mayor of the Day and honored in 2014 by the Naugatuck Alumni Association.

Frances is survived by her sons, Joao O. Branco Jr. and wife Jessica; Domingos “Mingo” Branco and wife Sue; daughters, Joana DaSilva and husband Augusto; Frances Areias and husband Joe; Rose Mary Vumback and husband Jamey; and Mary Ann Branco. Her grandchildren Jacqueline Branco (Brian Broadrick), Victoria Sawyer (Jeffrey), Veronica White (Darryl Jr.), Damon Branco (Kelly), Alexander Areias (Karrin), Andrew DaSilva (Tatiana), Erika Vumback, Jacob Branco, Christopher Branco, Lauren Mahon, Nicole Vumback, Brian Mahon, Adam Branco and Megan Mahon; Her great grandchildren, Caroline White, Landon Sawyer, Zachary Broadrick, Patrick White and Madeline Branco. Frances goes now to join her parents, husband and sister Maria A. Marques who predeceased her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 10:00am at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church Street, Naugatuck. Those attending are kindly asked to meet at church. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck. Calling hours are Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 5-7pm at the Buckmiller Thurston Mengacci Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Avenue, Naugatuck.