Frances P. F. Minno Esq.'s Obituary
These words attempt to convey the wisdom, class, and example of one life so incredibly well lived. Frances “Fran” Minno died on March 19, 2024 following her life devoted to serving others, exemplifying our Catholic faith through humility, love, and education, in the tradition of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Always thinking of others, and always with uncommon grace and humility, her lessons will continue to help her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all those who knew her, succeed in their own lives.
Born in Lynn Massachusetts on July 25, 1930, and always the student, Fran attended Girls Latin School, earning a full scholarship to Manhatanville College and then, also with a full academic scholarship, as a member of the second graduating class of female students from Harvard Law School. She initially practiced health care law, publishing two books on Nursing and Health Care Law. When her children were very young, she decided to concentrate on raising her family, but continued as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Public Health. Her greatest life’s work was in generously helping those around her, especially her family. She later returned to her career as a Trust Officer for Mellon Bank, retiring after 15 years. Throughout her life she was most devoted to helping others succeed in their own lives, especially her family. Through her selfless acts, she exemplified her own expression of “doing the needed thing at the needed time.”
She is predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, Alexander M. Minno, M.D., with whom, after a blind date, she built a wonderful life filled with the treasures of family and friends in Pittsburgh, PA. Her finest moments were always with family. She leaves her daughter Marlee (Pittsburgh), and sons Alexander Jr. (Folsom, CA), Derek (Walnut Creek, CA), Matthew (Karen) (Tallahassee), and sister Anne Quinlan (Boston MA). Through her example, she will continue to hold the love and admiration she instilled in all those who knew her, especially her children, 12 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren (with another on the way!), many nieces, nephews, and multiple Godchildren. Fran lived her life demonstrating that everyone is important, especially you. Her guiding principle was to always choose love. Because of her, the future of her family is bright, until we meet again. All thanks be to God.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:6-9.
A funeral mass will be held on April 20th at 9:00 AM at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee, FL. She will be privately interred at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to the Alexander and Frances Minno Athletic Scholarship Fund or the Anna Minno Scholarship Fund, both at the University of Pittsburgh (412) 624-5800 (www.giveto.pitt.edu).
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