Obituary of Frances M. Shady

On Monday, November 24th, at the age of 94 years, Frances Shady passed from the loving arms of her family to the Arms of God. She is survived by her children, Lorraine Pruitt (Wayne), Robert Shady (Donna), and Jeanette Shady (George Ridenour); seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Pruitt (Mary), Lisa Brown (Lawrence), Michael Shady (Rebecca), Timothy Shady (Kristy), Linda Coye (Seth), Kristin Shady, and Sarah Ridenour; six great-grandchildren, Alexander and Amelia Pruitt, Nadia Brown, Kaylee Strickland, Bradley Shady, and baby Jameson Coye, born only six weeks ago; and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Steve Shady, and sisters Bertha Winnick, Laura Marcincin, and Pauline St. Pierre. Frances Malvina Slozenski was born in Jeddo, PA on January 29, 1920, the youngest daughter of Polish immigrants who came to America to forge a better life. Her father, Walter, was a coal miner who, after surviving multiple mining accidents, moved his family to a farm in Catatonk, New York, the farm on which Frances and Steve raised their family. Hard working and determined, Frances was a multi-tasker long before the term was invented juggling full-time work outside the home as a bookkeeper for McLean’s Department Store, Owego, NY, with the demands of farm life. She took great pride in her abilities as a homemaker--her spotless home, the wonderfully delicious meals that she prepared each day, the fresh-from-the-line laundered clothes, her beautifully starched and pressed shirts, and her exquisite crocheting. Each year, she harvested orchard fruits and garden vegetables that were transformed into bountiful canned foods to include family favorites like mustard pickles and Chow Chow. Frances was a devout Roman Catholic whose faith in God was paramount. Her legacy of unwavering belief in God and devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary will continue to sustain those whose faith journey she has touched. Her beloved St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Catatonk, NY, was her spiritual home until its closing in 2009. She was a member of its Rosary and Altar Society and Senior Choir. We will always cherish the memories of her boundless love of family, her reservoir of energy, her keen sense of fairness, her high standards (yes, even that streak of perfectionism), and for making the best pierogies ever, having mastered the technique that always promised a perfect batch. Our heartfelt thank you to the Owego Lourdes Family Practice, especially Dr. Ian Stuppel, Jill Garrison, and Kelly Price for their vigilant and tender medical care over the years, to Classen Home Health Services, especially Beth Belknap and Grace Gillogly who so affectionately cared for her while homebound; to Ellen Wood, Catherine Garcia and the staff of Sterling House who, over the course of her recent residency, made her feel safe and loved; and to the nurses at Cayuga Medical Center on 4 South, especially Danielle Jones, who so closely and compassionately attended to her every need in her final days and hours. The family is forever grateful. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 4, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 300 Main Street, Owego. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. St. Francis of Assisi Rosary Society will conduct the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 137 Main Street, Candor with calling hours immediately following until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Frances’s memory to the Tioga County Rural Ministry, 143 North Avenue, Owego, NY 13827.