Frances Merino West

Frances Merino (DeDominicis/Hinton) West passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of quiet strength, generosity, and unwavering commitment to her family and community.

Born between the Great Depression and World War II to Italian and Spanish immigrant parents, Frances was the oldest of four children. She learned early the responsibilities of caring for a household, skills that became essential when both her parents died three months apart during her junior year of high school. At sixteen, she took charge of the home, caring for her thirteen-year-old brother Donald and eight-year-old twins Paul and Patsi. Despite these challenges, she graduated high school as valedictorian and went on to earn B.A. degrees in Biology and English with honors from NYU on a full scholarship. While completing her education, she worked multiple jobs in New York City, commuting daily from Union City, New Jersey, to support her siblings. All four children eventually graduated college and built successful careers.

In 1962, Frances moved to Delaware, where she quickly became a dedicated community leader. She served as Chair of New Castle County’s zoning commission, was the first woman appointed as a Delaware Highway Commissioner, and became the state’s first Director of Consumer Affairs, earning the title of Delaware’s Consumer Protection Lady. In 1983, she became the first woman to serve in the Governor’s cabinet as Secretary of Community Affairs, working under four governors from both parties. She later served as president of the Better Business Bureau of Delaware, earned her law degree from Delaware Law School, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania and Delaware bars. Over fifty-five years, she held leadership roles in more than eighty professional, regulatory, educational, charitable, and volunteer organizations. She was especially proud of her more than sixty-five years of service to Scouting, becoming the first woman president of the Delmarva Boy Scout Council and receiving the Silver Antelope and Silver Beaver awards.

Frances was married to Edward W. Hinton, an engineer and antique dealer, for thirty-one years until his death in 2015. Their marriage was filled with love, travel, shared meals, and an expanded family circle. Above all, family remained the heart of her life. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren, offering steadfast support and creating a warm home where kindness, perseverance, service, and integrity were taught by example.

She is survived by her sons Alex DeDominicis and Phillip DeDominicis; daughters-in-law Darlene Pence and Elyse Eisenberg; grandchildren Evan DeDominicis (Alexandra) and Dr. Elise DeDominicis-Cummings (Rex); and her extended family including Michael Hinton (Shelly) with sons Joseph and Sean; Marie “Snooky” (Bob), Angela (Ron) and their children; brother Paul Merino and his wife Cookie; sister-in-law Rosemary Merino; and five nieces and nephews.