Frances DePalma-Iozzi

Frances DePalma-Iozzi (age 78) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family including the love of her life, Louis Iozzi, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

She was born in Montclair, NJ as the first of four daughters to Anthony Francis and Edith Ida DePalma (nee DiIorio).

Fran graduated from Immaculate Conception School Montclair in 1965 but had moved with her family to West Caldwell, NJ in 1961 and then to Caldwell where she has lived for the past 50+ years.

Having graduated from William Paterson College in 1969, her commitment to learning and a love of music became a common thread throughout her life. She earned a masters degree in Medieval studies from Kean University, where her thesis “The Hidden Caravaggio: The Oedipal Conflict in his Life & Work”, earned an award. She continued her education throughout her life. At Montclair State college she was the first recipient of the “Teacher Education in a Democracy” award. Fran is a member of Mensa.

Fran was selected for a prestigious fellowship in Paris through the National Endowment for the Arts where she took part in numerous cultural studies, with a focus on art and the medieval cathedrals of France. She shared her love of France with much of her family and traveled to Paris frequently.

Fran started teaching in the Caldwell-West Caldwell School District in 1969 and had a long and treasured career in the district. She taught music education at all grade levels and was the high school choral director. She is beloved by many for the enrichment that she provided her students. She founded several choral groups in the district, including the “Women of Note”, “Retromen” and “Madrigal Singers”and supported her students in numerous musical pursuits. Fran was also an adjunct professor at Montclair State and Caldwell University and was a private piano teacher. She inspired many of her students to develop a lifelong love of music.

Anyone who knew Fran knows that she was involved in countless volunteer activities, usually with her cherished husband Lou as her companion. Some of her activities included being the past president and treasurer of the Montclair Women's Club, a board member and program chair at Casa Colombo Center for the Arts in Jersey City, founder and director of the “Woman's SONG Choir”, program chair and member of Montclair UNICO a founding member of the West Caldwell Gazebo and pianist for the 1940's big band “Reeds Rhythm and all that Brass”. Fran was also a passionate quilter.

Even after Fran’s cancer diagnosis in 2020 she continued to thrive, conducting the Crane’s Mill Chorus and holding local concerts with her women’s vocal group “Women’s Song”. She also continued to pursue other arts and social justice projects which have always been dear to her heart and continued to travel and enjoy time with family and friends.

Fran served on the Caldwell Town Council from 2020-2022, where she sought to understand all viewpoints and secure the future of her town. She also served on the Essex County Democratic Committee. In 2025, she was awarded Caldwell’s Women’s Community Impact Award.

Fran cherished her relationship and time with the many friends, family, students and others who came into her life. She is well-respected by many and always held strong to her convictions but was able to listen to the opinions of others and consider them with balance and discuss them with respect. She will be missed by many that she met from all different walks of life and remembered by the impact she made on their lives, even if their time together was brief.

Fran is predeceased by her parents and survived by her loving husband and life partner, Louis Iozzi. She is also survived by her three sisters, Jeanette DePalma, Edith Garrow (Rick), MaryJo Wereschagin (John,deceased), stepchildren Louis Iozzi Jr. (Mary), Cathleen Bellis and Cara Iozzi, grandchildren Thomas (Brooke), Ryan (Alyssa), Veronica, Breanna (Alex), Rebecca (Jonathan), Katie, Jamie, Cassie, Kylie and great-grandchildren Kian, Jack, Apollo and Bonnie. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, John, Laura, Michael, Christopher (Katie), Anthony (Aly), Alexis De Palma, Jessica Brand Hood (Jonathan), Mason Rozakis, Charlotte and Jack Hood, in addition to a plethora of cousins, nieces and nephews and other family, as well as many friends who Fran considered family.

A public wake will be held at Dancy Funeral Home, 9 Smull Avenue in Caldwell on Friday Feb 6, 2026 from 4-8 pm. Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The National Organization of Women(NOW) now.org, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) aclu.org, or the West Essex First Aid Squad, W. Caldwell NJ westessexfas.org.