Frances M. Socha

PELHAM, N.H. - Frances M. (Kurpaska) Socha, 71, of Pelham, a retired tax accountant and a former longtime resident of Andover, Mass., died Monday evening, Jan. 12, at Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, Mass. She was the wife of retired Merrimack College professor Wladyslaw "Walter" Socha, who died Nov. 22.

She was born in Adams, Mass., on March 9, 1932, daughter of the late Peter and Helen (Szpila) Kurpaska. She attended Adams schools and received a bachelor's of science degree in accounting from Merrimack College. Mrs. Socha had lived more than 40 years in Andover before moving to Pelham.

Prior to her retirement several years ago, Mrs. Socha was a tax accountant in Maynard for many years at Digital Equipment, now part of Hewlett-Packard Co.

She was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Pelham, and an active member of the church's Women's Guild.

She is survived by two daughters, Paula DeProspero and her husband Alan of Enfield, Conn. and Tonia M. Socha of Westford; three sons, Joseph P. Socha and his wife Becky of Londonderry, Andrew Socha and his wife Laura of Westford, and Martin C. Socha and his wife Paula of Pelham; six grandchildren, Kevin Socha, Kerri Socha, Colin Socha, Michelle Socha, Michael Socha and Natalie Socha; two sisters, Eugenia Zaichen of Springfield, Mass., and Helen Mezzoli of Adams, Mass.; a brother, Anthony Kurpaska and his wife Joan of Cheshire, Mass.; and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Socha was also the sister of the late Stanley Kurpaska, Stephen Kurpaska, Casimir Kurpaska, and Theresa Viani.