Frances Catherine Kaczmarek Maciejczyk

Frances Catherine Maciejczyk, originally from Shickshinny, left this world surrounded by her family, to be with her "Matka" on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017.

Born Oct. 22, 1930, in Pittston, she was the daughter of Jan and Katerina Podmenik Kaczmarek Kapler.

Along with her parents and an infant son, she is preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Chapman; husbands, Donald McGlynn Sr. and Bartolom Maciejczyk; and a special cousin, Larry Grochowski.

She is survived and her memory is honored by her children, Donald McGlynn Jr. and wife, Donna Hunter, Kennewick, Wash.; Mary and husband, Alan Angeli, Hunlock Creek; Johanna and husband, Jeffrey Leck, Hunlock Creek; Bart Maciejczyk, Hunlock Creek; Valerie and husband, Ian Cox, London, UK; and her beloved grandchildren, Darren McGlynn, Diana and Sean Michel, James and Alicia Angeli, Ian Angeli, Kelsey Leck, Tessa Leck, Ethan Cox and Elliot Cox. She had many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Many were her "honorary" kids.

She was raised by the nuns at St. Stanislaus Orphanage in Sheatown. There she led a difficult life but remained genuinely grateful for the "roof over her head." She loved "being sent" to the nursery to help. She simply adored babies and always would. She was a gifted and skilled crafter excelling in crochet and tatting. Countless babies and adults have been swaddled in her beautifully made afghans.

After graduating from Newport High School, she married Donald McGlynn and resided in Wilkes-Barre. After Donald died, she went on to marry Bartolom Maciejczyk. They bought a 96-acre farm in rural Shickshinny where she looked after their five kids, scores of sheep and everything else that her kids brought home while Bart was away as a Merchant Marine much of the year. When asked how she managed it, she would always reply that she wasn't alone; she had God's help.

"Kaczy," "Tootsie," "Frances with an 'e'," "Frannie," "Aunt Francie," "Baba," "Mom," "Mama," was a devout Catholic and felt a particular kinship with the blessed Mother Mary. Her parenting and friendly advice always encouraged prayer and kindness. She also never hesitated to speak her mind, a trait both feared and respected. She was a woman who lived an exemplary life against all odds, having had many deaths of loved ones early, and her own illnesses along the way. She was our Timex watch - "she took a licking but kept on ticking," always.

She was employed by the former Ronnie Dress factory, and later by Huntington Mills Elementary School, from where she retired. She was also actively involved in Northwest High School Booster Club when her kids were in school. She was a longtime member of Holy Spirit Parish/St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mocanaqua.

The family would like to thank the staff and friends at Guardian for being so good to her, regardless of "the attitude of the day." With her disease it wasn't always easy. We thank you all for your patience and kindness. She loved her Polkas!

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday from Mayo Funeral Home Inc., 77 N. Main St., Shickshinny, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Holy Spirit Parish/St. Mary's Church, Mocanaqua, with her pastor, the Rev. Louis Kaminski, as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Church Cemetery, Mocanaqua. Friends and family may call at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.

For information, or to send condolences, please visit www.mayofh.com.