Frances (Franza) Dugay

Frances (Franza) Dugay, a beloved and longtime resident of Rocky Hill, CT, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the age of 100. Born on February 17, 1925, in Hartford, Connecticut, to the late Salvatore and Anna (Formica) Franza, Fran lived a vibrant century filled with love, laughter, and kindness, leaving an enduring legacy that touched countless lives with her warmth and grace.

Raised on Hartford’s historic Front Street, Fran witnessed a century of events, from the Great Depression and World War II to the advent of television, space exploration, and computers. Frances graduated from Hartford High School with the class of 1942. She dedicated 33 years at the Newington Veterans Administration, where she forged lifelong friendships. Fran found joy in life’s simple pleasures: reading, nurturing her beautiful flowers, and traveling with her devoted husband of nearly 50 years, Donald Dugay.

She was predeceased by Donald, her sister Corradina Greco of Wethersfield, and her brother Joseph Franza of Sarasota, FL. Frances is survived by her sons, David Dugay of Hartford and Brian (Sandra) Dugay of Cromwell, her cherished grandson Jack, and several adored nieces and nephews.

Fran began each morning with her cherished ritual of reading the obituaries. When asked why, she would joke with her signature humor, “I want to see if my name is in there.”

Well Mom—we know you’re reading this and finally got to see your name. We hope it made you smile.

Your legacy of kindness will live forever in our hearts, deeply missed but always cherished.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, at Cromwell Funeral Home, 506 Main St., Cromwell, CT. Calling hours are from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to a charity of your choice or to simply forward an act of kindness in Fran’s memory.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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