Obituary for Frances D Balbach
Frances D. Balbach, age 92, of Wilmington, DE, peacefully passed away with her family by her side on Wednesday, April 6, 2022.
Born and raised in Wilmington, Fran lived most of her life in Union Park Gardens until 2017 when she moved to The Lorelton, where she resided until her death. Fran worked in the insurance industry for 35 years and was a proud member of the ISO 25 Year Club. She was also a lifelong member of the St. Thomas Church, its Sodality, and the Quilting Club at Claymore Senior Center.
Fran enjoyed knitting and crocheting, and her handmade gifts have become family treasures.
Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph L. and Lena H. Eckrich Balbach, her brothers Joseph and James, and her sisters Margaret, Sister Helena Joseph, OSF, and Sister M. Trinita, OSF. She was not just the last surviving member of her immediate family, she was the last connection with a generation of truly great people who embodied family values and love to pass on to the next generations.
Fran will be lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephew who were also her caregivers: Kathleen O’Brien, Helen Crowley (James), Joseph Balbach, Mary Ellen Papili (Lou), and Anne Balbach. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Deborah Balbach, and a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and their children.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staffs of The Lorelton and Compassionate Care Hospice.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 301 N. Bancroft Parkway, Wilmington, DE., on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 11:00 am. Friends may call at the church prior to the Mass from 10:00-11am. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery, 2400 Lancaster Avenue, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frances may be made to Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Rd., Aston, PA 19014; or the Kremer Foundation, 1100 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 411, Naples, FL 34019, which supports elementary Catholic schools with tuition grants. Sister Trinita was a founding member and Fran volunteered countless hours in support of its mission.
Born and raised in Wilmington, Fran lived most of her life in Union Park Gardens until 2017 when she moved to The Lorelton, where she resided until her death. Fran worked in the insurance industry for 35 years and was a proud member of the ISO 25 Year Club. She was also a lifelong member of the St. Thomas Church, its Sodality, and the Quilting Club at Claymore Senior Center.
Fran enjoyed knitting and crocheting, and her handmade gifts have become family treasures.
Fran was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph L. and Lena H. Eckrich Balbach, her brothers Joseph and James, and her sisters Margaret, Sister Helena Joseph, OSF, and Sister M. Trinita, OSF. She was not just the last surviving member of her immediate family, she was the last connection with a generation of truly great people who embodied family values and love to pass on to the next generations.
Fran will be lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephew who were also her caregivers: Kathleen O’Brien, Helen Crowley (James), Joseph Balbach, Mary Ellen Papili (Lou), and Anne Balbach. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Deborah Balbach, and a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and their children.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staffs of The Lorelton and Compassionate Care Hospice.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 301 N. Bancroft Parkway, Wilmington, DE., on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 11:00 am. Friends may call at the church prior to the Mass from 10:00-11am. Interment will follow in Cathedral Cemetery, 2400 Lancaster Avenue, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frances may be made to Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Rd., Aston, PA 19014; or the Kremer Foundation, 1100 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 411, Naples, FL 34019, which supports elementary Catholic schools with tuition grants. Sister Trinita was a founding member and Fran volunteered countless hours in support of its mission.