Mrs. Frances A. Nikonowicz

Frances Nikonowicz (nee Noveske), age 87, of Sheffield Village and Florence Township, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2022, following a long illness. Frances was born on September 17, 1935 in Grafton to Frank Noveske and Mary (Kantosky) Noveske. Fran graduated from Elyria Catholic High School. She married Raymond in 1956 and started a family. Later in life, she worked at the Sheffield Village Police Department as a dispatcher. Fran found joy in art and music throughout her life. She frequently took art classes at the local community college, as well as taking harp lessons, which she was able to share as a special memory with her grandchildren when she got to bring her harp home. Fran’s love of music was passed down to her grandchildren, specifically Emily, who she taught to play the piano when Emily was only 3 years old with a book called Teaching Little Fingers to Play. They would frequently sit at the piano together and play Chopsticks or Oh Susanna. Fran was always the most supportive audience, clapping at the end of piano performances, even when she was an audience of one, the tunes were simply being played at home, or even if she was in a different room. She seemed to always be listening and at the ready to celebrate someone or make them feel special in small moments, like a wallflower, even when no one knew. Fran deeply loved to cook and was an excellent chef. She cooked many holiday meals over the years and was known for making her special mashed potatoes and stuffing for Thanksgiving. Fran connected with her daughters over cooking and she passed down many recipes that will live on forever through her family. Fran was even able to learn to cook many traditional Pakistani dishes passed down from her son- in-law, Zahid. Fran enjoyed traveling and made many trips to California to visit her daughter and son, Patty and Ray, and their families, as well as her sister, Ellie, in West Virginia. A trip to Hawaii with Patty’s family was a wonderful memory for her. She was also able to celebrate weddings and mehndi ceremonies with her granddaughters, Saira and Alisa. Fran loved to garden and to enjoy the harvest of fresh vegetables during Ohio summers. Fran’s daughter, Sue, and son-in-law, Jerry, shared this love of gardening and it was something that brought them all joy together, especially while Fran was residing at their home. Each year, Fran would look forward to enjoying the first tomato of summer, fresh from the garden. She may have loved this because of memories of picking fresh tomatoes from her garden on her small farm with her husband, Ray, and sharing them with her granddaughters when they were younger. Fran also enjoyed collecting eggs from the chicken coop with her granddaughters and eating fresh watermelon. Another of Fran’s summer favorites was strawberry or cherry vanilla ice cream. This was a treat she could never pass up. Fran bonded with her granddaughters over her love of Jeopardy. Every evening at 7:30 pm, you could find her watching Jeopardy under a cozy blanket near the fireplace. Fran had a sharp and intelligent mind and was known for knowing answers to Jeopardy that no one else could ever dream of getting correct. The pandemic was made a little easier by spending that time together. Fran was the loving mother of her surviving children Patty (Zahid) Masood of Westlake Village, CA, Raymond (Julie) Jr. of San Diego, CA, and Sue (Jerry) Pohorence of Florence Township. Fran was the proud grandmother of Saira, Alisa, Daniel, Darryl, Emily, Grace, Sophia and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, parents, brother Bill Noveske and beloved sister, Ellie Davis. Friends may call Sunday from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will begin with closing prayers offered in the funeral chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. Fran’s Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. in Nativity BVM Catholic Church – 1454 Lexington Avenue, Lorain. Reverend Craig M. Hovanec, Administrator of the parish will serve as celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory are encouraged to NAMI of Lorain County - 6125 S. Broadway Lorain, OH 44053.

Mrs. Frances A. Nikonowicz

September 17, 1935 - December 6, 2022