Obituary of Francesca Leighton

Francesca (Talarino) Leighton, age 94, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at St. Joseph Center, Trumbull. Born in Bridgeport on June 4, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Phillip and Josephine Talarino. She is survived by her loving daughter, Donna Tibbals-Wong and her husband Kellogg of Monroe, her beloved grandsons, John F. Tibbals and his wife Angelique of Trumbull and Craig J. Tibbals and his wife Elizabeth of Stratford. Four cherished great grandchildren, Evan, Ella, Jared and Daphney. Also by her extended family, Eric Wong of CA, Leta N. Wong of NY, Trina Wong and her husband Mike Costantino of Fairfield and their children Jessica, Trevor, Colin and Bryce. She will be missed by her sister, Mary A. Cavaliere of Bridgeport and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph E. Leighton, her brothers, Anthony and James Talarino, her sisters, Nellie Rapparelli, Faye Fazekas and Louise Dayton and her son-in-law, John L. Tibbals. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime parishioner of St. Theresa's Church in Trumbull and was an active member of the Senior Club. She also enjoyed membership with the Baldwin Center in Stratford and their many activities. Before her retirement she was a realtor with V.P. Realty for over 15 years, and worked for many years as the front desk receptionist at St. Joseph Manor. Our family wishes to give heartfelt thanks for the loving care given by the staff of St. Joseph Center, in particular those of the Third Floor B Wing and our sincere thank you to Shaneen Hines and the staff at the Life Choice Hospice. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. in the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull and at 11:00 a.m. in St. Theresa Church, Trumbull for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Swim Across the Sound, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606.