Frances N. Podolak

Francesca “Frances” Podolak (nee Franchino) passed away after living a fulfilling 100.5 years. Born to the late Charles and Mary Franchino from Italy, on August 24, 1923 in Cleveland, OH. Frances was the oldest of four children. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward, her daughter Denise, and her siblings Lil, Joe and Tom.

After raising her siblings, she began working during the war at Bamburgers Textile Factory where she rose through the ranks to become a manager and even modeled sweaters for their catalogs.

She met the love of her life, Edward Podolak and they were married on September 7, 1957 and had four beautiful daughters - Denise Leciejewski (deceased) (Bob), Debbie Caroscio (Tony), Diane Kaminski (Donnie) and Donna Podolak. She adored her daughters, and raising four teenagers in the 70’s, as a widower was no small feat. And yet she made a large family with all of her daughter’s friends, who affectionately referred to her as MP.  She was a strong, caring woman who loved to speak her mind and have her family all together for Sunday dinners. Fran’s favorite hobbies include reading, watching over 50 years of General Hospital and enjoying a cold beer every now and then.

She loved working as a caterer at Hillside Party Center until the age of 90. Frances also leaves behind seven grandchildren - Nicole (Ryan) Mann, Cortney (Gino) Conte, Matt (Kate) Lorince, Alison (Adam) Cletzer, Mikey Majewski, Emily (Brendan) Uhlir, and Gabrielle Caroscio. She has four great-grandchildren - Emmett, Cooper, Mariana, and Ophelia, with another on the way in June. The family has been lucky to have witnessed and been loved by such an amazing woman. She was loved by many and she will be greatly missed by all.

Celebration of Life Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM at THE FUNERAL HOME. Burial following at Calvary Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Fran at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just east of Green Rd.) MONDAY 4-8 PM.