Frances Przybyszewski

Frances Przybyszewski age 93, passed away peacefully Friday, July 7, 2017 at Sarah Reed Senior Living. She was born in Chicago, IL on December 15, 1923, a daughter of the late Frank and Lottie Czulewicz Olszewski. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard (Benny) Przybyszewski, her sister Karen Rohaly, and brothers Norbert and Cyril Olszewski. Fran graduated from East High School June 15, 1943 and worked as a secretary following high school. She was employed as a head banquet waitress working for Licloc catering, the Shrine Club, Hilton and Avalon Hotels. She enjoyed being around people so much that she worked into her 80’s.  She was an avid seamstress creating many of her own clothes for herself and her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed knitting and crafts. Fran was a long time parishioner at Holy Rosary Church where she attended regularly and volunteered at Bingo and church bazaars. She attended Cursillo 190. Fran loved working as a senior volunteer at Chestnut Hill Elementary. She walked mornings at the mall followed by coffee with a group of Seniors. She also participated in many Senior groups.

She enjoyed traveling and traveled extensively within the U.S. and also to Europe. Her trip to Hawaii with her husband and three other couples with which they had gone to high school was a lifelong dream.  For her eightieth birthday she traveled to her ancestral home of Poland. In later life she and her companion David Beckett had many good times including the annual reunion of the U.S.S. Morrison, a destroyer that was sunk in combat during World War II. Together they enjoyed going to plays, movies, shows, church dinners and summer concerts and festivals.

Cooking was her passion; she was an amazing cook and loved to entertain. She was always that person who brought people together for fellowship always ready for a good time. She hosted many parties, dinners and meals with great food. She always included anyone that she saw that had nowhere to go for holidays. Celebrations always included many good times playing cards and games. She had a contagious laugh and a great sense of humor. Fran enjoyed being part of the “outlaws” and shared that recognition with her brothers-in-law Bill, Joe, Carl and Ed. Family was of the utmost importance to her. She was a friend to many always doing for others with much care and compassion. She would be able to produce that odd food or item that may be requested as having “on hand”. Fran made a difference in the lives of so many and will be missed. Fran is survived by three daughters; Sandra Berchtold and husband Raymond of Endwell, NY, Joyce Williams and husband David of Randallstown, MD and Judith Sipple and husband Douglas of Waterford, PA; a son, Mark Przybyszewski and wife Susan of Fairview, PA; nine grandchildren: Danielle Berchtold, Jonathan Berchtold, Kimberly Salisbury, Erin Williams, Jacob Williams, Lauren Sipple, Kyle Sipple, Nathan Przybyszewski, and Katelyn Przybyszewski and her sister Rita Kozar of Erie; seven great grandchildren: Justin, Ayden, and Gabriella Berchtold, Colleen Salisbury, Benjamin and Adam Harvey, and Henry Sipple as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26th (at Powell Ave) Erie, PA 16506 on Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. Friends and family are invited to attend a prayer service there on Friday at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Church, with Rev. John Jaquel Celebrant. Burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Church 1012 East 28th Street Erie, PA, 16504, or the charity of one's choice. Condolences can be sent to www.Burtonfuneralhomes.com.