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Frances M. “Fran” (Hickey) Minichello

Family & friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Friday, June 19th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rte. 107) Revere, for Frances M. (Hickey) Minichello, who was stricken at her home & later passed at the North Shore Medical Center in Salem, she was 73 years old. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church (Corner of Beach St. & Winthrop Ave.) REVERE on Saturday, June 20th at 10:30 a.m., (Please meet directly at Church) followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Fran was a native of Boston and a resident of East Boston for over 65 years. She was educated in St. Mary Star of the Sea Grammar School & was an alumnus of the Fitton School, Class of 1964. Fran then attended Emanuel College & Boston State College. She began an exceptionally long & rewarding career with Blue Cross – Blue Shield of Massachusetts that spanned of 47 years. Her hardworking & diligent personality allowed her to rise to the title of Provider Relations Manager. Fran took such pride in anything she did. She was married to her one and only true love, William R. Minichello on June 10th, 1979, they just celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary together. She was the very proud mother of her only son, Andrew. Fran was devoted to her family & to anything she believed in. Both she & her husband were active in the Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078. Fran was the Past Exalted Ruler (P.E.R.), Past District Deputy (P.D.D.) State Chairman of the Elks National Foundation & an Honorary Lifetime Member (H.L.M.). She was also the past President of the Association of the Notre Dame Alumni. Fran was committed to these causes because of her strong convictions & her beliefs to make a difference. Wherever she went, she made friendships that lasted a lifetime. She remained close to her childhood friends, classmates, colleagues from work and her brother & sister Elks, throughout the country. Her small stature & bright smile was nothing compared to her enormous heart & unwavering love for life & family.

She is the beloved wife of 41 years to William R. Minichello of Swampscott, formerly of East Boston. Loving & proud mother of Boston Police Sergeant Andrew J. Minichello & wife Maria of East Boston. Cherished grandmother of Matthew Daniel. Dear sister of Evelyn M. “Lynn” Wilson & husband R. Lee of N.H., James A. Hickey & wife Nancy of VA & the late George B. Hickey, Jr. & his surviving wife Ann Hickey of NH. Devoted daughter of the late Ret. Boston Fire Captain George B. Hickey, Sr. & Evelyn M. (Crotty) Hickey. She is also lovingly survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, 4 godchildren, lifelong friends, extended family & colleagues.


*** Please note: All visitors to the Funeral are required to wear masks/facial coverings & must practice social distancing as prescribed by the Comm. Of Massachusetts. Funeral Home capacity is limited to 40% of total capacity. ***


Services

Visiting Hours

Friday, June 19th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

Saturday, June 20th at 10:30 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Revere

(Please meet directly at Church)

Interment

Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to the Elks National Foundation c/o Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078, 191Washington Ave., Winthrop, MA 02152 or Mass State Elk’s Scholarship Fund, c/o Winthrop Lodge of Elks #1078, 191 Washington Ave. Winthrop, MA 02152.


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  1. Thomas R Bagley
    Jun 21 2020

    On behalf of the Bagley family we wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the Minichello and Hickey families.

  2. Maureen K. Lee
    Jun 20 2020

    To Bill and Family:
    The Elks family at Revere Lodge 1171 are very sad to hear of the loss of Fran. She was a very extraordinary woman who was well liked .
    I really liked her very much. If I had any problems , I could count on her for help.
    She will be missed by all.
    Our prayers are with Bill and the Family.
    God Bless and may he comfort you all through this loss.

    Maureen K. Lee
    ER Revere Lodge 1171.
    God Bless

  3. Stephen Schavrien
    Jun 19 2020

    Bill and family, Your in our prayers and wishes and have our deepest condolences.

    Stephen and Alice PER Schavrien.

  4. James Cullinane
    Jun 19 2020

    Bill and family,

    I am so sorry to hear of Frans passing, she was a wonderful lady and friend. She will be missed terribly. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers

    Jim Cullinane PER

  5. Robert Anspach
    Jun 18 2020

    Fran was the State Vice Chairman of the Dictionary Project as well as the State Chair of ENF Fund Raising. She served both positions well, and served our Order well as a District Deputy.
    Beyond her roles within the Association I knew Fran as a beautiful person, She offered me suggestions and advice.
    She was always willing to help and gladly participated in my crazy presentations at Regional meetings. Her friendly disposition was a welcomed experience whenever I saw her at her Lodge or out and about at Elk’s functions.
    My faith tells me she has a reserved seat in the heavenly chambers.
    My prayers go to William and the rest of the family as they struggle through this difficult time.
    May she rest in peace.
    Lovingly,
    Bob PDD (Framingham 1264)

  6. Nancy and Dennis Ranahan
    Jun 18 2020

    Dear Bill, Andrew and family,

    We are so very saddened by the sudden passing of Fran and send you all our love and encouragement. We feel very fortunate to have been part of her life – personally, socially, and fraternally. Fran has touched so many with her good spirit, faith, strength, and dedication. She always did everything to its fullest by sharing her skills and knowledge in so many ways.

    Often busy with Elks’ activities she still always had time for family and friends. She has left a big gaping hole for such a petite stature.

    God has called Fran home to Eternal Life and we will meet her in heaven someday. She will be healthy, happy and waiting with open arms. Sleep our dear sister and may peace be with you.

    God bless us all,

    Nancy and Dennis

  7. Patricia & Richard Carbone
    Jun 18 2020

    We are so sorry for the loss of our dear friend Fran we had many good memories together she treated us like family always invited us to her home for holidays. We went to many Elks functions together including cruise we will always remember her big heart and how much she cared and always willing to help when asked.
    Our prayers and thoughts are with her and her family she will be dearly missed by all that knew her. God Bless

  8. Ken Buckley & Jewel Martin
    Jun 17 2020

    Dear Bill and Family,

    We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We always enjoyed our times with you and Fran at the many Elks functions we attended. Fran was passionate and compassionate and she will be missed.

    Fraternally,

    Ken & Jewel, Revere #1171

  9. Tammy Tine
    Jun 17 2020

    Dear Bill and family
    So sorry to hear about Fran my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Fran was so good to Mike and I as mike went through the chairs at the Stoneham elks lodge #2211. She helped us every step of the way. She was the best. She always new how to get us through the next step. The elk world is never going to be the same without her. To our absent member xoxo

  10. The Darcy /Nikonchuk Family
    Jun 16 2020

    Dear Bill and your Family,
    So much to say , not enough words to fully express .
    Our deepest sympathies to you at this solemn time.
    Seeing your love for each other And her caring
    expression for the love for your Grandchild was heartwarming.
    The Elks can never replace her exceptional dedication!
    We Love Her and she will always Be a Bright Beacon of Love, Honor & Unity To All our Brother & Sister Elk, everywhere!
    We have truly lost a Gem. May God Bless You with Strength .
    She will always be with US.
    There will always be “One Vacant Chair” For Her..
    For “How Great Thou Art “. Lin, Steve, Erik & Family

  11. Carolyn Ellis
    Jun 16 2020

    The times that I had with Fran were always fun and full of laughter. She was a strong, dedicated, stalwart woman and the love she had for her family was so very apparent. Her son Andrew is one of my best friends and he has always looked out for me and I will do my best to look out for him. Thank you Fran for bringing Andrew into this world and for instilling in him the same dedication, loyalty and love that you had. Rest In Peace Fran.

  12. Jan Ross
    Jun 16 2020

    Fran was a very special lady/friend…..we both worked at BCBSMA for over 40 years and she became my ‘sidekick’ and lifelong friend. We were a bit of an odd couple but we both got each other and the friendship extended into many a shared lunch! I loved her, respected her and admired her commitment to family, the Elks and frankly everything she did despite any obstacles she may have faced! She was taken way to soon. She will be sorely missed! RIP, my dear friend!

  13. Jeannine & Henry Lesburt
    Jun 16 2020

    Bill, Andrew, Lynn and the entire Family,

    Fran and I have been life long friends. back to St. Mary’s School in East Boston, although she was one year ahead of me as I followed her with Ann Marie Donovan Tracht to Fitton Central High.
    Fran was always a person that achieved all she aspired to with class, integrity, determination and an attitude of always achieving success.
    She and my brother, Attorney Michael A Laurano worked very hard together on many successful political campaigns and were successful in moving East Boston ahead in a positive direction.
    Unfortunately, Michael was ill in May and passed a few weeks ago and was not aware of his dear friend Fran’s impending illness.
    May they together enjoy the rewards of heaven and the eternal peace they both deserve for lives well lived devoted to always helping others. Blessings and Rest in peace.
    Sincerely,
    Jeannine (Laurano) Lesburt and Henry Lesburtt

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To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.