Helen M. Franceski

Helen M. Franceski, 90, of Lancaster and formerly of Forest City, died Thursday morning at Lancaster General Hospital. Her husband David C. Franceski, died in 2003.

Born September 11, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Pearl Hermann Ligus. She was born and raised in Richmondale and graduated from Fell Twp. High School . For many years prior to retirement she worked as an accomplished seamstress in the garment industry. Prior to moving to The Mennonite Personal Care Home in Lancaster, Helen was a member of St. Agnes Parish and then Ascension Parish in Forest City.

She will best be remembered as a kind, loving and beloved mother and grandmother who was extremely proud of her family. Her greatest joy in life was being with her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by them. She worked tirelessly to raise her family, and was known for her warm and wonderful smile, her extraordinary baking skills, vegetable canning, and jelly making, her love of working crossword puzzles and listening to polkas. She also loved to crochet afghans for family and friends. Helen's strength, courage, and faith in God had no boundaries.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at The Mennonite Home, which she called her home from the day she moved there. She felt loved, safe and specially cared for during her residence.

Surviving are three daughters, Helen Lopez and companion Michael Robbins, Rexford, NY; Virginia Hall and husband Lawrence, Linglestown; Carla Wood and husband John, Lancaster; two sons, John Franceski and wife Susan, Aurora, CO; and David Franceski, Jr. and wife Margaret, Berwyn; 11 grand children, Christopher and Teri Lopez, Denver, CO; Lisa Lopez, Rexford, NY; L. David and Moriah Hall, Danville; Kristen Hall, Philadelphia; Nicholas Franceski, Emmaus; Alexander Franceski, Pittsburgh; Bryan and Sarah Wood, Lancaster; and Andrew, David, and Melina Franceski, Berwyn; nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by brothers: Nicholas, Peter, Michael, Andrew, John, Paul, George, William, baby Thomas, and baby Andrew; and two sisters, Mary Dailey and Anna Swider.

Funeral will be Monday from the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, with Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 am in St. Joseph's Church, Forest City. Interment St. Agnes Cemetery, Forest City. Viewing on Sunday from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Psoriasis Foundation, The Mennonite Home, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601; or the American Cancer Society in her memory.

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