Frances Romaine DeLucio died on August 14, 2023 at her home surrounded with love by her family.

Born the eldest of five daughters to Anthony and Hilda Maurer Luerman on March 15, 1932, she lived in Richmond the majority of her life.

While in her senior year at Richmond High School, some friends asked her to go on a blind date with what became her husband of 70 years when she married Paul DeLucio on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1951. Before starting her family, she worked as a secretary at Wayne Works and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

Romaine was a very giving woman; first to her family, to her church, to her community, and to numerous organizations with her time, talent and resources. She volunteered as a scout leader, a librarian at her children's schools. She then became involved with volunteering at Reid Memorial Hospital as a Candy Striper supervisor, then later as a librarian and serving on the Reid Auxiliary Board (2000-2001 Board President). She delivered meals for Meals on Wheels, made "pinky puppets", and served as the lead coordinator for the Make-a-Doll fundraisers for Reid. In her lifetime, she volunteered over 20,000 hours over 41 years at Reid. In 2022, she was nominated by Reid for her generosity to them and was one of 22 recipients from across the state to be presented with the Golden Hoosier award from the Governor's office in the State of Indiana, which is the highest honor bestowed to a senior citizen for a lifetime of volunteerism.

Birthright of Richmond also holds a very special spot in her heart as she, along with her daughter- Joan, worked weekly at "the blanket factory" and has donated thousands of sewn pieced blankets and burp cloths, as well as hand crocheted blankets and booties that have been given to new mothers. She also used her crochet talents to make blankets for nursing homes, and cotton crocheted hats for cancer patients.

In the 1980's, she saw the need for a church organist and was called into service, first by volunteering, then as a paid organist for her church, Saint Andrew's Catholic Church and served them for 25 years until her vision no longer allowed her to see the notes to play the organ. That was a disappointing moment in time for her.

In the formative years of the Historical Construction Equipment Association, she served as the secretary/treasurer and helped grow the organization. She and Paul were instrumental in the organization of the Richmond H.C.E.A. Shows.

She is survived by two sons- Paul Thomas "Tom" (Cindy) and Richard Allen "Rick" (Gloria) DeLucio, and two daughters- Joan Marie (Gary) Woodruff and Paula Romaine (Patrick M) Ripberger, 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 1 great great granddaughter, 2 step-great grandchildren and 4 step-great great grandchildren, sisters, Jean Krebs, and Mary Anita Coblentz, brother-in-law Robert "Bob" DeLucio, sister-in-laws Sue (George) Stallings, Onda DeLucio, and Judy DeLucio, countless nieces and nephews and a very dear friend Danielle Parrett.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul on April 16, 2022, her parents, 2 sisters- Sr. Joan (Margaret) Luerman and Joan Marie Luerman and 2 grandchildren- Paul Jason and Kimberly Ann DeLucio.

The family wishes to thank her caregivers from Reid Hospice- especially Crystal, Rachel, Laura, and Tracey, Dr. Bhandari- whom she thought very highly of as her physician and friend, and Deb Robinson who stepped in to help in many countless ways.

In lieu of flowers, she wishes contributions be made to the St. Andrew Organ Fund or Birthright.

As she was preparing to leave this earth, her message she wanted to convey to all was this, "LOVE ONE ANOTHER."

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday August 22, 2023 at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Father Todd Riebe will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Andrew Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. on Monday August 21, 2023 and from 9:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday August 22, 2023 at Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary.