Frances M. Brougham

Frances M. Popeski Brougham, age 77, of Erie, passed away Friday, February 27, 2026. She was born in Buffalo, NY on June 18, 1948, daughter of the late James C. Popeski and was blessed to have had two mothers, Rosemarie Stahlbaum Popeski and Josephine Skalos, her biological mother.

After graduating from McDowell High School, Fran worked at the Boston Store and later became employed in the legal field for 40 years. She was a member of St. Julia Church, where she sang in the choir and taught Religious Education for many years for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Fran belonged to the St. Ines Committee, her sister parish in Mexico and was a member of the St. Julia Rosary Society. She loved being with her family and friends. Fran enjoyed participating in the Kairos Prison Ministry and traveled wherever God needed her to travel for the ministry. Fran greatly loved the residents she worked with at the Barber National Institute and found them to be an inspiration in her life. The greatest joys in Fran's life were her two granddaughters, Marley Victoria Bidwell and Jordee Frances Bidwell.

Fran is survived by her husband of 57 years, Douglas Brougham; her daughter, Kelly K. Bidwell (K.C.) of Saegertown; two granddaughters previously mentioned; two sisters, Rose Tarquinio (Joe) and Lynn Kudlak (Dennis); and three brothers, James C. Popeski, Jr., Fred J. Popeski, and James Cash (Nina). Fran also enjoyed and loved her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Skalos; sister-in-law, Georgette Tillotson; and brother-in-law, Shane Hackworth.

Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Services, Inc., 536 West 10th Street, on Sunday, March 1st, from 3 to 5 pm and are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at St. Julia Church, 638 Roslyn Avenue, on Monday, March 2nd, at 10 am conducted by Rev. Nick Rouch. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hillman Cancer Center, 2500 West 12th Street, Erie, PA 16505. Condolences may be sent to www.dusckasfuneralhomes.com.