Katherine Franck

Obituary of Katherine Franck Katherine M. Franck, 91, died on Friday, October 12, in Ocala, Fl surrounded by family members and dedicated aides. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Frank J. Arbster and Margaret (Sigrist) Arbster, one of four children, having been pre-deceased by her sisters Marguerite Cowan and Dorothy Cannon and her brother Frank. She was married in 1944 in Pittsburgh to John (Jack) A. Franck of New York City; they lived in Pittsburgh most of their lives except for a short period in Albany, NY and longer ones in the Philadelphia area before finally moving to the Villages, FL in 1989. They had four children, Rev. John L. Franck, A.A., currently residing in Rome, Italy, Ronald J. Franck who resides with his wife, Shirley (Gergerich), in Pittsburgh, PA, Gary M. Franck, who died in Lake Worth, FL in 1996, and Paul W. Franck, who resides with his wife, Ann (Niederer), in Ocala Fl. Katherine is survived by 7 loving grand-children, Melanie, Kevin, Janelle, Rachel, A.J, Scott, and Hugh. One grand-daughter, Gretchen, died in 2002. She also has one great-grandchild, Bryson Paul Irby. Kay, as she was sometimes known, was a simple woman, whose life centered on simple, but profound, realities: her family, her friends and her faith. She had a great sense of humor, loved being with people, and took a genuine joy in life in spite of her share of hardships, not the least of which were the loss of her son Gary in 1996, her husband Jack in 1998 and her niece Gretchen in 2002. She always loved playing cards (endlessly) and bocce later in life, but her great passion was people --- her family and her friends. For nearly 20 years she was a daily communicant at St. Timothy's Church in the Villages, FL. There she wore out many a rosary praying for her family and friends. In October 2009 she suffered a devastating stroke that left her severely debilitated. Her family remains grateful to the dedicated aides who cared for her so lovingly during this time, especially Curdie Williams, Jane Kail, and Joan Similien. Two services will be held to remember her life and pray for the repose of her soul. The first will take place at Blessed Trinity Church, Ocala, Fl, at 10 A.M., on Saturday, November 3. The other will take place at St. Athanasius Church, West View, PA, on Saturday, November 10, at 10:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Kay's memory be sent to the Assumptionist Center, 330 Market Street, Brighton, MA to benefit the Assumptionist missions worldwide. Services Two services will be held to remember her life and pray for the repose of her soul. The first will take place at Blessed Trinity Church, Ocala, Fl, at 10 A.M., on Saturday, November 3. The other will take place at St. Athanasius Church, West View, PA, on Saturday, November 10, at 10:30 A.M. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Kay's memory be sent to the Assumptionist Center, 330 Market Street, Brighton, MA to benefit the Assumptionist missions worldwide.

Katherine Franck

October 12, 2012