On Saturday, October 1, 2022, Carmela Fico, loving wife, awesome mom, Mema, aunt, cousin and friend, went Home to the Lord. She was born, Carmela Stella Manzo in Harlem, New York City, July 14,1932. She grew up there with her parents Paul, Antoinette and older brother Fred, in an apartment building owned by family and occupied with only family, needless to say, family was very important to her. Mom graduated from Our Lady of Mount Carmel HS (1950) in the Bronx and 4 years after graduation, she met my daddy, Andrew Fico. Daddy had only been home from the Army for a few months and was back to working in his brother-in-laws butcher store. Mom had gone there many times before but when she walked in, it was love at first sight for both of them! They were married September 2, 1956, 2 yrs later. Mom continued working for Woolworths Co. in Manhattan for over 10 yrs. They adopted Vincent (Vinny) in 1961 as an infant. They wanted a baby girl to complete their family. They adopted me, an almost 1 yrs old Annette (Toni), 5 yrs later. Now their family was complete. Mom stayed home and daddy continued work as a butcher. They bought a house in Whitestone NY and stayed there until 2000 where there was an abundance of love, dinners and celebrations with family were had and memories were made. Vinny’s children were born and those grandchildren were so loved and adored. They downsized to a co-op, also in Whitestone, until they moved to Texas in 2012, to be with their favorite daughter, son-in-law and 2 young grandchildren. In March 2013, mom lost her soulmate, the love of her life, my daddy, after 57 beautiful yrs of marriage. Even though she was heartbroken and devastated by his loss, Mom had a strength and unshakable faith that sustained and comforted her and I. I was constantly amazed and in awe of her! She continued to embrace her faith becoming very involved in Good Shepherd Catholic Church and community which quickly returned her love. Mom and I become inseparable. For years she would come to my Kindergarten class to help and loved working with the kids. They made a chair for her and wrote MEMA on it. Whenever she walked into my classroom, it was like royalty, “MEMA IS HERE!” and would run and hug her! She loved it. The teachers welcomed her and loved seeing her smiling face with her NY accent. She was gaining a new sense of purpose after daddy but still missed him terribly and wanted to be with him.
Since moving to Texas, she had both hips replaced, lost her only son, was diagnosed with leukemia and suffered numerous illnesses. But she rallied, smiled and her faith only got stronger through it all. I finally convinced her to move in with us January 2020 and also ride out covid with us. August 2021 she fell breaking her wrist. Her physical health was waning and cognitive gaps were apparent. The hardest decisions were eminent, that I could no longer care for my strong independent mom. She stayed at Forum Rehab/nursing home where, with God’s hand, she overcame covid and many other setbacks. I was able to see and be with her every day. When her first great granddaughter, Skye Marie was born in May 2022, she was over the moon! Whenever we brought Skye she would perk up with pure love and joy on her face. We celebrated her 90th birthday in July and the best gift she said was getting to see her great granddaughter.
The past 2 weeks the rapid decline and outcome were evident. I was blessed to be by her side as her prayers were answered. She went Home to the Lord and her beloved Andrew where they are dancing once again. Rest in pain free peace mommy in the joy and rewards of your faith until we meet again.
Carmela was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Antoinette Manzo, beloved husband Andrew Fico, son Vincent Fico and brother Fred Manzo.
Carmela is survived by Toni Murphy favorite daughter and husband Danny Murphy, grandchildren; Patricia Fico, Michelle Fiacco husband Bruno, Nikki Vidaic husband Chris, Max Andrew Murphy, Samantha Carmella Murphy and great granddaughter Skye Marie Murphy. Nieces Annette Loutrell husband Brian, Delores Dickson husband Dave, Lisa Manzo, Gina Manzo and Marne Dietrick husband John. Nephews; Paul Manzo, Fred Manzo wife Dorianna. Countless cousins and friends that will all miss her dearly.
A visitation for Carmela will be held Friday, October 7, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at J.E. Foust & Son Funeral Directors, 523 S MAIN ST, GRAPEVINE, TX 76051. Funeral Mass: Saturday, October 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Catholic Community, Colleyville, TX.
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