Frances Marie Wiernusz

1950 - 2020

Frances Marie Wiernusz, Old Forge, formerly of Tunkhannock, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, at Geisinger CMC Hospital, Scranton, Pa., due to COVID-19 complications.

Born in Meshoppen, Pa., on Nov. 21, 1950, she was the daughter of the late Edmund S. Wiernusz and Julia M. Ciprich Wiernusz, Tunkhannock, Pa.

She was a graduate of Tunkhannock Area High School, class of 1968, and received her bachelor's degree in social work from Misericordia College, class of 1980. Frani started her career with the Pennsylvania State Department of Labor and Industry as a CareerLink examiner. It was there she discovered her passion for assisting people with finding gainful employment and rejoining the workforce. In 1992, she decided to turn her focus to one industry, very near and dear to her heart, health care, and so Julia Edmunds Associates Inc., named after her parents, came to fruition.

A very generous and successful businesswoman, Fran won many awards for her accomplishments with special recognition from NPA Worldwide, National Personnel Associates, a network of recruiting professionals with over 450 offices globally. Fran was a huge contributor to the success of NPA, particularly the Healthcare Practice Group membership, and served in many volunteer capacities. Fran was a past board member and a NPA Worldwide Hall of Fame member. She was double platinum, a recruiter achievement status that few are able to attain. Her impact on people was remarkable. She would make recruitment trips and calls to multiple countries in search of medical personnel that could be moved to the U.S. She helped countless candidates get their credentials approved for work in the U.S. and changed the lives of many families around the world. She was busy recruiting the medical personnel that so many of us now see as first responders in the fight against the virus that took Fran's life. She was a true champion! She was wise and very business savvy. Many work to live, but she was the opposite, she lived to work, oftentimes seven days a week. She made herself available 24/7 for anyone who needed her! Her legacy in recruiting and Julia Edmunds Associates Inc. will live on through her daughter, Lisa.

Fran also was a board member and volunteer for Tracey's Hope and Hospice in Duryea. Tracey's Hope held a special place in her heart as they would also board her Newfoundland, Morgan. She was a member of Nativity BVM Church, Tunkhannock.

Fran could light up any room she walked into! Always eager to chat with people, including total strangers she would meet on a plane ride to her next recruiting trip! She loved to dance and sing her heart out to any song! Her stress relief was Zumba class at Anytime Fitness, where she made a ton of new friends! Fran always looked forward to her annual month-long visits with her cousin, Michele Harden and mid-winter Caribbean cruises with her friend, Vikki Doss. She lived for her grandchildren, Robert and Matthew, always the proud Nana! There isn't a person in this world she came in contact with that didn't know about them! We cannot forget about her insatiable appetite for politics! Although she would host Easter brunch, Christmas was her favorite holiday and she lived for Weglia (Christmas Eve dinner).

Fran meant something to so many different people. She was a mom, daughter, Nana (her favorite title!), granddaughter, mother-in-law, godmother, sister, cousin, niece, aunt, colleague and friend.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by grandparents, Ignatz and Francesca Kuffa Ciprich, Michael and Franciszka Rokosz Wiernusz, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Wormuth and husband, Robert, Old Forge; son, Doug VanVolkinburg and wife, Fran, Tunkhannock; sister, Nancy Hutch and husband, Harry, Tunkhannock; brother, Ron Wiernusz (companion Lynda Roberts), Wilkes-Barre; brother, John "Yogi" Wiernusz and wife, Joanne, Lansdale; grandsons whom she adored and treasured, Robert and Matthew, Old Forge; nieces, Linnzi D'Lauro (Tim), Alison Russin (Alex), Morgan Wiernusz, and Madison Wiernusz; nephews, Adam Wiernusz (Tiffany), Ben Wiernusz (Rachel), Tyler Wiernusz, and Brandon Wiernusz; great-nieces and nephews, Julia, Caroline, Oliver, Brett, Cameron, Luke, Jack and Sam; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fran's name to Tracey's Hope and Hospice, 113 Foote Ave., Duryea, PA 18642.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no public services. Interment will be in Pieta Cemetery, Tunkhannock. A celebration of Fran's life will be held at a later date.

A livestream of Frances' Mass of Christian Burial will be available for family and friends to watch at 11 a.m. on Dec. 22, 2020, at www.shel

donkukuchkafuneralhome.com under Frances Marie Wiernusz's tribute page.

Arrangements and care entrusted to Sheldon-Kukuchka Funeral Home, 73 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock, PA 18657.

Please visit the funeral home website to share memories or extend condolences.