Frances C. DiPalma of Middletown died peacefully on Friday October 4th, at the Brighton Gardens, Middletown.

Born and raised in Jersey City, Frances moved to Livingston before she and her husband, Emil, settled in Florham Park, where they lived until they moved to Monmouth County to be close to their children and grandchildren. Frances was always there to lend a helping hand to her children or be a part of their lives.

She was a dedicated parishioner of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Florham Park. Frances loved to dance the Foxtrot, Rumba and Swing with her husband Emil. Frances was artistic, and loved to decorate her home, especially for Christmas. She hosted countless family gatherings, and her lasagna was always a family favorite, along with every other meal she would create. She made sure all guests were included at the dining room table, and often extended it deep into the hallway.

Her father owned a summer home in Avon, where she and her siblings would spend the summers with their children. Frances loved to take her kids along with her nieces and nephews to the beach every day, then return home to create a big meal for all to enjoy.

As a young woman, she was the owner of La Collette hair studio in Hoboken. She sold her studio when she married Emil, and they began their own family. Years later Frances was a manicurist in a studio in Millburn.

Frances was predeceased by her husband Emil J. DiPalma who died on May 24th, 2018.

Surviving are her children Vincent and Margaret DiPalma, Rumson, Emil DiPalma, Hackettstown and Nicole and Stephen McGrouther, Lincroft; her brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Elaine Abicca of Florida; as well as her seven grandchildren: Erika, Renae, Morgan, Eric, Victoria, Craig and Sarah.

Frances requested a private mass of Christian burial at the Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel, followed by her interment in Fairview Cemetery, Middletown.

In lieu of tradional remembrances, donations may be made in memory of Frances to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.