Francesca Vespe was born in Potenza, Italy and immigrated to the United States at age 12. Raised in Queens, NY, she graduated from Long Island University and earned a master's degree from Rutgers University. She was fluent in three languages and spent summers studying at several universities in France to perfect her language skills. She was a dedicated and beloved teacher of French and Italian at several Westchester county public high and middle schools. During a brief detour from teaching, she worked for several years as a financial representative at Merrill Lynch in White Plains. Her passions in life were her two daughters, reading, cooking, the arts, and attending opera and ballet performances. She is survived by her daughters, Alissa and Gabriella Fitzgerald; her mother, Anna Maria Vespe; and her brother, Angelo Vespe. She was adored and respected by her many students, friends, and colleagues, and will be missed by all.
Arrangements under the direction of Edwin L. Bennett Funeral Homes, Scarsdale, NY.
