Frances Baileys

Many years of her prayers were answered Friday afternoon when our Mom was called home quickly and peacefully. The story of her life began in Richmondale, Pa. on May 26, 1926 when she was welcomed into this world by Rocco and Caterina Sansalone Lombardo. She had six siblings, Nicholas (Deceased), Frank (Deceased), Louis, Annandale, Va., Agnes Ziemba, Long Beach, Ca., Josephine Lapera, Carbondale, and Michael (Deceased). At her parents insistence she graduated from Fell High School, Class of 1943, an unusual accomplishment for immigrants' daughters at the time.

She began the next chapter in 1948 when she married William Baileys (Deceased) and together they began to build their home in Forest City. In addition to raising her children, she worked in several local dress factories to help support her family and build her legacy. She raised four children, Barbara Sheptak (Joseph, Deceased), Dundaff, Pa., Marie Kameen, Milford, Pa., Diane Baileys, Jermyn, Pa. and Thomas Baileys (Kim), Browndale, Pa. She always appreciated having her children nearby where she could visit them and they could visit her and she was very grateful for the help and support that they gave her.

The next chapter produced eight grandchildren whose loving presence she was forever rewarded, Krista and Amanda Sheptak, Jonathon and Daniel Kameen, Nicholas, Marcella, Emily and Benjamin Francis Baileys. She delighted in helping to raise them and watched them grow and succeed, each in their own way. You could not be in her presence without hearing about them. A few times she even endured switching off EWTN to watch the Army-Navy football game hoping to catch a glance of her Nicky.

The story continues with four great-grandchildren, Nixon, Silas, Bailey Marie and Madison all of whom had the opportunity to know Grandma B. Just the mention of any of their names brought an immediate smile to her face and produced much comfort in her final hours.

She lived very happily for more than 45 years on Susquehanna Street where she made many lifelong and eternal friends among her neighbors. On her porch or theirs, much wisdom was exchanged and many stories told. When she felt that her independence was becoming a burden on others she moved to the William Penn community which she loved every minute that she was there. She joined many existing friends there and made many new ones.

As she guaranteed, Fran's story doesn't end here, but lives on in the hearts and souls of all who had the good fortune to meet her. There is no way we can feel sadness at her passing because she remains with us; part of us; as we continue her story.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday at 11:00am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City. Viewing will be Sunday(today) from 3-6pm at the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City and Monday 10am until mass time at the church. Interment is private.

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