Francine Manick

Francine King Manick —was born on September 3, 1946 to Alexander Melton and Violine Keen in New Haven, CT, where she spent most of her life. A daughter, sister, mother, godmother, grandmother, great grandmother, adoptive-mother, foster-mother, friend to the friendless, and rescuer of strangers, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. A person of great compassion for others, she embraced the entire community as her own. For more than 52 years, Francine gave her life to the service of others as a foster mother to over 50 children.  She nurtured, cared for, and babysat dozens more.

Francine was a part of everyone’s lives. She never met a stranger because she connected with people instantly. She was an incredible matriarch and happy to invite anybody who did not have a family to be a part of hers.

Francine attended school in Waterbury, CT. She worked in several areas throughout her lifetime: Gant Shirt Company, Fairview Convalescent Home, the New England Die and Casting Company, and the New Haven Board of Education Food Service.   Francine was also a lifelong member of Elks Lodge #25 in New Haven.

She was married to Isiah Raymond Manick (deceased) and to this union was born one daughter they named Ra’Monia P. Manick.

On any given day, one could find her preparing one of her signature meals/dinners for someone’s special event. As an excellent cook and baker, she loved whipping up a full-course menu for the Holidays for family and friends. She always had someone sitting at her dinner table or just dropping by for a hot meal.

Francine possessed a deep love for disadvantaged and unwanted children. She was especially drawn to helping pregnant mothers with drug addictions, and children with special needs.  She cultivated a home atmosphere where others felt accepted and safe.

Among the other hobbies of baking and cooking, she enjoyed knitting, sewing, and used her gifted hands to serve as a hairdresser to dozens of family members, friends, and kids from her neighborhood. She had a green thumb and could bring any plant back to life.

Francine was predeceased by:

Grandmother Clara Bell Meritt, Mother Violine Keen Taylor, Father Alexander Melton, Brothers Robert “Bobby” Whiting, Cylde Melton, and Dennis Melton.

She leaves to cherish her life and legacy…

Siblings:

Dolorus and [Laurence] Nevels of Oberlin, OH, Sheila Mitchell of New Haven, CT, Edwina Griffin of Hartford, CT.

Alex “Stubby” Melton of Meriden, CT,  Peaches Melton of New Haven, CT, Tanya Melton of NC.

Children/God-Children:

Ra’Monia Manick-Highsmith, Daniele Murphy-Lewis [God-Daughter],

Robert Perry [God-Son].

Adopted Children:

Patrick S. and [Gwen] Manick, Chantal Manick, Shraya Manick, Keontae Manick, Jeremiah Manick, Joshua Manick.

Grandchildren:

Rodney T. Moore, Jr. and [Christina], Imani Manick-Highsmith, Des’Tahnee Manick-Highsmith, Patricia “Porkchop” Manick.

Great Grandchildren:

Roman T. Moore, Nina Noel Moore, Jewel “Juju” Egypt Moore.

In addition, she had several nieces, nephews, countless cousins, and many lifelong friendships.

A celebration of Francine’s life will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Colonial Funeral Home, 86 Circular Avenue, Hamden, CT 06514. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:00am. Condolences may be expressed at colonialfunerals.com.