Hoover

Frances E. (née Gavlik) Hoover of Cranberry Township passed Thursday at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Frances E. Hoover grew up in Ambridge with her parents, Seigmund A. and Anna (née Hertnecky) Gavlik, and her sister and best friend, Carol (Jack) King.

After graduating from Penn Hall in Chambersburg, Fran worked as a secretary at Penn State, where she met Lewis J. Hoover; thus began a partnership of love, joy and mutual respect lasting more than 60 years.

Over the years they would have a summer home in Rehoboth Beach and spend winters in Naples, Fla. She has been on cruises to Europe, South America, the Caribbean and Alaska. She has traveled to Paris, London, Rome and throughout the United States, but home base was 15 acres outside of Saxonburg.

They raised four children, and Fran was in charge of logistics for piano, trumpet, recorder concerts, horse shows, chorus concerts, marching band, majorettes, school field trips and summer vacations and a series of pets.

After her children left home, she channeled her creativity into painting; her oils, pastels and watercolors, which she signed “Francesca.” They won many competitions and now hang in homes throughout North America, Europe and Australia.

She was a fully involved grandmother, playing dress-up and having tea; attending football, baseball lacrosse games and wrestling matches. She flew to North Carolina and Key Largo for birthdays.

She was Francie, Frankie, Frances, Francesca; Mother and Aunt Fran; Flying Frammie, Mimi, Patti. She was an artist, a storyteller, a confidante and a baker of outrageously wonderful apple pies. She taught us to take every opportunity, try every delicious experience, never say no to adventure. She grabbed all she could from life and shared the best parts with her family and friends: her beauty, generosity, laughter, daring, bravery, grace, constancy, and love. We are so grateful she was ours.

Fran survived the death of her parents and her sister. When their daughter Cindy died, she and Lew showed us how to cherish her memory by cherishing each other.

Fran leaves her husband; their children, Kip (Lynne) Hoover, Judith Hoover (Timothy Grant), and Lisa (Keith) Hinchberger; grandchildren, Sophia, Brendan and Kyle; and many relatives and dear friends.

HOOVER — In honor of her wishes, cremation arrangements for Frances E. (née Gavlik) Hoover, who passed away Thursday, July 11, 2013, are by the SAUL-GABAUER FUNERAL HOME at Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Rochester, Pa. A celebration of life service is being planned for later and will be at Sherwood Oaks of Cranberry.Online condolences may be offered at www.saul-gabauer.com.