Francine Beth (Rippner) Matik, 86, of Weston, passed away on Nov. 4, 2026 in Wilton.

Fran was born in the Bronx, New York, to Lillian and William Rippner. She graduated from Music and Art High School in 1957 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English/Speech from Hunter College in 1961. She worked as a speech therapist in New York City secondary schools until 1964. She and her husband, the late Mickey Matik, then moved to Yonkers, New York, where they started their family. After their daughter Leslie was born, the family moved to Rochester, New York, for Mickey’s career in sales, and their second daughter, Amy, was born there. They later moved to Simsbury, Connecticut, where their son David was born, and eventually settled in Weston, Connecticut, where their youngest son, Scott, was born and they resided for 32 years. Through these moves, Fran devoted herself to raising their four children and made every house a warm and beautiful home.

As her children reached school age, Fran earned her real estate license in 1976. She began her career in Westport with Carmen’s Country Homes, helping clients, friends, and family find their perfect homes. She later joined Edith Davidson Real Estate, where she helped grow the office until Edith retired, and subsequently worked with Riverside Shavell, which was later acquired by Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Fran was a talented and trusted real estate professional who built a loyal clientele through referrals and personal recommendations. Her success reflected the care she took with people and the lasting relationships she formed.

Fran loved collecting antiques and decorating. She and Mickey made annual trips to antique shows and markets and filled their homes with beautiful and unique pieces. She had a flair for mixing old with new and especially loved pieces with history and stories to tell. Many of her real estate clients sought her help decorating their new homes. Fran also loved to dance and had a lifelong passion for tennis that began when she taught the sport at summer camp. She particularly enjoyed watching tennis and following the game, a special fan of Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic.

Raised in a family deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, Fran carried her faith throughout her life and found a spiritual home at Temple Israel in Westport. She treasured her relationships with the clergy and community and was a member of the first adult bat mitzvah class, proudly learning to read Hebrew after all four of her children had become B’nai Mitzvah on the very same bima. Fran and Mickey were members of the congregation for more than 40 years.

Above all, Fran cherished her family and friends. She had a strong sense of self and knew her own mind, yet always respected the opinions of others. She was a fiercely loyal friend, someone people could always count on, and maintained treasured friendships throughout her life, including two dating back to her high school years. Fran loved bringing people together, and everyone was always welcome in her home. Holidays were filled with her signature dishes and the traditions she treasured. She took great pleasure in helping each of her four children, as well as her two closest lifelong friends, find homes nearby. She was a loving and constant presence in the lives of her children and nine grandchildren.

Fran is survived by her four devoted children, Leslie (Arthur) Hahn, Amy (Michael) Berkin, David (Libia) Matik, and Scott (Boadicea) Matik; her nine adored grandchildren, Jesse, Sam (Erica), Lily, Drew, James, Nicholas, Peyton, Talia, and Cooper; her nieces, Laurie and Cathy Casriel and Myong Feiner; and her nephews, Eric Casriel and Bruce Feiner. Fran was predeceased by her loving husband, Mickey; her beloved sister, Tamara Casriel, and Tamara’s husband, Carl Casriel; her sister-in-law, Marilyn Feiner, and Marilyn’s husband, Burton Feiner; and her nephew, Robert Feiner.

Funeral services will be held at Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, Fairfield, on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. Private family burial will follow at Temple Israel Cemetery, Norwalk. 

Shiva will be observed at the home of Amy and Michael Berkin in Weston, on Sunday 2:30 – 7 p.m. and Monday noon-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. For more information, to join a livestream, or to share a condolence message, visit www.greensfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association (www.ALZ.org/CT) or Make-A-Wish Foundation (www.wish.org).

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the nursing staff and care team at Evergreen at The Greens at Cannondale and RVNA Health & Hospice of Ridgefield, CT.