Frances Palermo Powell

OBITUARY

Frances Palermo Powell, lovingly known as “Jo” or “Franny” to family and friends, passed away on October 12, 2026, in La Jolla, California, at the age of 74.

Born in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, to Jake Palermo and Lucille Cascio, Frances grew up surrounded by a large, loving Italian family where Sunday gatherings were a cherished tradition. After church, generations of relatives gathered around crowded tables for spaghetti dinners filled with laughter, conversation, and love. Those Sundays were about far more than a meal. They were about family, belonging, and always making room for one more at the table.

As a young woman, Frances embraced life with an adventurous spirit; exploring the world through travel, earning a pilot’s license, cave diving, riding motorcycles and more. That same enthusiasm later found its greatest expression in the life she built in San Diego with her beloved husband, Tom Powell, and their sons, Brandon and Dylan. Her family was the center of her world, and she took immense pride and joy in raising her boys.

Perhaps Frances’s greatest gift was making others feel at home. A thoughtful planner, gracious hostess, and fiercely loyal friend, she carried the spirit of those Louisiana Sunday gatherings into every part of her life. Whether welcoming relatives from across the country or bringing friends together, Frances created beautiful spaces, lasting memories, and a sense of belonging. She had a remarkable way of making everyone feel that they were part of her family, no matter the distance between them.

Frances is survived by her devoted husband, Tom; her beloved sons, Brandon and Dylan; her sisters, Sheila Allgood (Alan) and Robin May; her brothers- and sisters-in- law, Nancy Powell (Marsha), Jim Powell (Patti), and Bill Powell; and her cherished nieces and nephews, Jennifer Gardner (Blake), Ryan May, Derek May (Diana), John White (Katie), Quinn Powell, and Connor Powell. She is also lovingly remembered by her grandnieces and grandnephews, extended family, and many dear and cherished friends.

Her roots were in Louisiana, her home was in San Diego, but her heart was always wherever family gathered.

A celebration of Frances’s life will be held at a later date, details to be announced.