Frances M. Saluto died peacefully and smiling on June 6th, 2025. The Rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m. followed by Visitation from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 13 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 309 Benton Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64124. Burial is at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Frances was born in Alia, Sicily, in October 1931 to older parents, Francesco/Frank and Salvatrice/ Sylvia (Giallombardo) Biondo. Her three oldest brothers were already in America, and she did not meet them until she and her mother arrived after WWII when Frances was 14 years old. She had not seen her father for seven years. One brother, Matteo, moved from Alia to Milan. Alfredo emigrated to Brazil. Frank, Joe, and Toto, did not live in the same U.S. city. Damiano eventually came to Kansas City. Getting together was difficult. The family of six sons and one daughter never stood in the same room, all at one time. Never. And now, the family will finally be together, celebrating heaven! Frances' husband Steve and her parents will surely be there, too.

Some people called her Francesca, some Ciccina, and some friends actually called her "Mom". She loved being called "Grandmother" most of all! She was full of caring and good advice, always ready to add food to any occasion. She would say, "I love people!"

Frances was a lifelong Catholic, a follower of Christ. Years ago, she held prayer meetings at her home or joined in bible study at the home of dear friends. Her parish church has been St Anthony's since 1952. Frances was a godmother to Dorothy Enna and Jon Elliott.

Cooking was her special skill. She didn't use recipes, just a pinch of this or a little more of that. Years ago, she ran the cafeteria for Assumption School. Later she worked in Italian restaurants - one in the North End, another in the River Quay.

Frances was preceded in death by Stephen, her husband of 58 years; her parents; six brothers; a son Charles Saluto; and a grandson Anthony Saluto. She is survived by daughters Mary Wilkens (Howard), and Sylvia Salehpour; son Mark Saluto; grandchildren: Eva Salehpour, Michael Salehpour (Judith), Matthew Saluto (Kristen), Anna McNay (Scott), Alyssa Burnett (Casey), Andrew Wilkens, Johnie Saluto; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers: Casey Burnett, Scott McNay, Michael Salehpour, Matthew Saluto, Josiah Saluto, Andrew Wilkens.

Memorials can be made to St. Anthony Parish, or hospice, or any charity. A special thank you to the staff at Wexford and the staff at Ascend Hospice. They took this journey with us.