An icon in the city of Bridgeport was recognized Saturday for her decades of service to the community.

State and local leaders honored Frankie White, who headed up St. Mark's Day Care Center in the city's East End for 25 years.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal called White "a champion for Connecticut kids and their families."

White dedicated the honor to her husband, David White, Jr., who died last month at the age of 74.

"I'm celebrating my husband's life because he was my life partner and he was my friend even from the time we were little kids," she said.

A memorial service for White, who died over a month ago, was held Saturday.