Frances H. Vertuca

Born to Thomas and Anna Holland on May 13, 1925, Frances H. Vertuca took her first breath at home on a farm in Nicholas County, Kentucky. After a long and blessed life, her last breath was also at home on February 21, 2024, just shy of her 99^th birthday. 

Frances, along with her two sisters, was raised, educated and married in Kentucky. Following her marriage to Antonio Vertuca in 1951 and for his career moves, they lived in several states and six cities, with the last being Lima, Ohio where they raised their six children. 

Although Frances spent the majority of her life living outside of the state of Kentucky, she remained true to the Bluegrass, continuing lifelong friendships, loyalty to the Kentucky Wildcats and an enduring Southern hospitality enjoyed by her many family and friends. Her annual Kentucky Derby parties (and mint juleps) are a legend with the only requirement being to stand during "My Old Kentucky Home". 

After her youngest child entered school, Frances used her business school education and strong work ethic to return to the workforce and managed several medical practices of multiple physicians; her work created many long-lasting memories and friendships that she continued to nurture and reminisce about long after retirement. 

Although Irish through and through, Frances had embraced and loved her husband’s Italian immigrant family long ago and continued their traditions and recipes, passing them on to her own family.  When the Italian Charitable Organization began (UNICO/CIAO) in Lima, Frances and Tony spent countless hours volunteering for the organization. They could also be found volunteering at Lima Central Catholic High School, St. Charles Catholic School and Parish where they were charter members; sponsoring many who were entering the Catholic faith.

Frances and Tony were quintessential of the “greatest generation” and her life of ninety- nine years could fill volumes. However, every chapter of her life would read the same:  Love and Family; this was always and will remain her lasting and most important legacy. 

Frances was predeceased by her parents, her two sisters, her husband of 56 years, Antonio A. Vertuca, an infant grandson, Michael W. Davis and grandson, Frank A. DePalma. 

She is survived by her six children, including, one son, Anthony (Brenda) Vertuca, Sarasota, Fla.; five daughters, Michele (Kim) Davis, Perrysburg, OH; Gina (Steve) LeGrande, Lima, OH; Lisbeth (Ron) Lovell, Dublin, OH; Jane (Greg) Schneider, Dublin, OH; Sara (Steve) Howard, Dublin, OH.; eleven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; three step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 2175 W. Elm St. Lima, Ohio   45805 on Saturday, February 24^th at 11:00am with Fr. Kent Kaufman and Fr. David Ross co-officiating. Visitation will occur Friday, February 23^rd from 4:00 pm -7:00 pm at Chamberlain Huckeriede Funeral Home, 920 N. Cable Rd   Lima, OH 45805. 

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Lima Central Catholic Educational Foundation for the Teacher Endowment Fund.  

Online donations can be made at lcchs.edu, Please designate Teacher Endowment in the drop down and note “Vertuca”  or mail check with memo (Vertuca) to : LCCEF  720 S. Cable Rd. Lima , OH 45805.

Arrangements handled by Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home.   Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com.