Frances J. (Smith) Caulo

 Frances J. Smith Caulo Died peacefully on January 2, 2018 at her home in Arlington, MA at the age of 95. The proud daughter of Irish immigrants, Frances Josephine Smith was born on March 14, 1922 in Bronx, NY to John and Bridget Smith (nee Gillick). Her Bronx birthplace and Irish roots remained central to her identity throughout her life. Her father was a motorman on the 9th Avenue elevated IRT, so it was only fitting that Frances was named Miss Subways March 1947. Her framed subway poster can still be found gracing a booth on the second floor of Ellen's Stardust Diner. Frances graduated from Mother Cabrini High School and attended Hunter College before transferring to Columbia University where she obtained her B.S. and R.N. degrees, graduating in 1944. She worked at Presbyterian Hospital before joining the Army Nurse Corps in 1945. After she completed her service, Frances returned to the Bronx and worked as a nurse at Post Graduate Hospital. It was there that she met her late husband, James E. Caulo, a Brooklyn boy. Jim was visiting a boyhood friend who was a surgeon at the hospital, when he spotted Frances in the lobby. "Who's the gal", he was reported to have said. An introduction was made and, after a brief courtship facilitated by the #4 train (Brooklyn to the Bronx), they were married on April 23, 1949. Theirs was an exquisite and loving partnership which lasted for nearly 64 years until Jim's death on March 3, 2013. Frances loved words, poetry (preferably Irish) and witty conversation. She loved the theatre and the opera, saving the playbills from each performance. She loved to travel and, with Jim, did so extensively. But mostly, she loved her family and friends. She is survived by her five children: Susan and her husband Dr. John Purcell of Somerville, MA; Nina Feirman of Redwood City, CA; John and his wife Debra of Burlington, VT; Honorable Ellen Caulo of Arlington, MA; and Peter and his wife Betsey of Amherst, NH, as well as ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her family would like to acknowledge the loving care provided to Frances in her final months by the nursing staff and care associates at Brightview, Arlington and Care Dimensions Hospice . Services at a later date. Donations in Frances' name can be made to The Perkins School, 175 N. Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

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