Obituary of Frances M. Piano

Frances Marie Piano (née Iossa), a lifelong Madison resident, passed away peacefully at Sunrise Assisted Living in Madison on Friday, June 24, 2022. She was 99 and one month shy of her 100th birthday.

Frances was born in Madison on July 30, 1922 to the late Angelo Iossa, Sr. and Adeline (née Pratola) Iossa. She was raised in a very loving family with her five siblings.

Frances married her beloved husband Ralph E. Piano, Sr. on June 23, 1946, and the couple remained in Madison to raise their family. Frances had small jobs working for the greenhouses in Madison as a rose grader and in a dress shop, but her main focus was always taking care of her family.

Frances was a lifelong devout Catholic and she prayed the rosary and went to church faithfully every Sunday. She was a very patriotic woman who was extremely proud of the honorable service to their country that her husband and sons served. She was a Gold Star Mother and a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary in Florham Park. She would read the names of the deceased military men from Madison, including her son Pfc. Ralph E. Piano Jr. at the Memorial Day parade in Madison.

An extremely creative person, in her spare time Frances enjoyed painting with oils and watercolors in her younger years and also crafting. She made very intricate painted and decorated Easter eggs and created Christmas trees out of old jewelry.

Above all, Frances was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her beloved husband Ralph E. Piano, Sr. in 2003; her dear son Ralph E. Piano Jr. who passed away while serving his country honorably in Vietnam; her brothers Peter Iossa, Sr., Ralph “Ace” Iossa, and Frederick “Duke” Iossa; Angelo Iossa, Jr; her sister Jennie Marcantonio. She is survived by her devoted son Michael Piano and his wife Mara of Madison, her grandson Bryan and his wife Kaitie and their cherished pitbull and lab mix Roland; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Frances on Monday, June 27, 2022 from 3:00PM to 7:00PM at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison. All may gather at the funeral home at 9:00AM on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 prior to a Liturgy of Christian Burial that will be celebrated at 10:00AM at St. Vincent Martyr Church, Madison. Interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Frances’ memory to the American Legion Post 43, 20 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park, NJ 07932 ATTN: MaryBeth Valentino, or to the Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps., 29 Prospect St, Madison, NJ 07940