Caldwells Mourns For Beloved Local Teacher, Ex-Council Member: Fran DePalma-Iozzi

CALDWELLS, NJ — The Caldwells are mourning for a “treasured” local teacher and volunteer who also served as a town council member: Frances DePalma-Iozzi.

DePalma-Iozzi – who was born in Montclair and lived in West Caldwell and Caldwell – died on Feb. 3. She was 78. Read her full obituary here.

DePalma-Iozzi started teaching in the Caldwell-West Caldwell School District in 1969, and had a “long and treasured career” in the district. She was also an adjunct professor at Montclair State and Caldwell University and was a private piano teacher – inspiring many of her students to develop a lifelong love of music.

The longtime educator took a foray into local politics when she served on the Caldwell Town Council from 2020 to 2022. She also served on the Essex County Democratic Committee.

DePalma-Iozzi was deeply involved in volunteerism, including work with the Montclair Women's Club, Casa Colombo Center for the Arts in Jersey City, and the Woman's SONG Choir.

“Even after Fran’s cancer diagnosis in 2020 she continued to thrive, conducting the Crane’s Mill Chorus and holding local concerts with her women’s vocal group ‘Women’s Song,’” her obituary states. “She also continued to pursue other arts and social justice projects which have always been dear to her heart and continued to travel and enjoy time with family and friends.”

In 2025, DePalma-Iozzi was awarded Caldwell’s Women’s Community Impact Award for her many contributions to the borough.

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