Francis

Mary S. “Sue” Francis, 77, of Chicora, passed away Sunday evening, Dec. 21, 2025, at the home of her daughter, Lisa, in Fort Collins, Colo.

Mary Suzanne was born in Bradys Bend, Armstrong County, Feb. 26, 1948. She was the daughter of the late James T. and Patricia Black Buzzard.

She was a long time member of Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora and graduated from East Brady High School. In her early years, she worked for the glass plant in Parker and later was employed by JC Penney in Butler. She was a former member of the Sons of Italy and the American Legion Post in Bradys Bend. Sue enjoyed traveling to Florida and spending time with her children, grandchildren and friends. She was an avid Elvis Presley fan and some time ago fulfilled her dream of a trip to Graceland.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence M. “Bud” Francis, whom she married Aug. 6, 1976. Mr. Francis passed away on April 13, 2015.

Surviving are two daughters, Heather D. Denham and her husband, Shawn, of Chicora, and Lisa Francis and her fiancé, Casey Blanchard, of Ft. Collins, Colo.; seven grandchildren, Alayna and Londyn Denham, of Chicora, Ashley Francis, of Clarion, Jimmy Francis and Nick Gamble, of Pittsburgh, and Ellie and Lilly Clark, of Ft. Collins, Colo.; two great-grandchildren, L.J. and Colson; a brother, Jim Buzzard and his wife, Karen, of East Brady; a sister, Jeanne Ackberry and her husband, Jay, of Stuart, Fla.; her former son-in-law, Edwin Clark, as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Also surviving are her late husband’s children, Cindy Ferris, Jeffrey “Larry” Francis and his wife, Tyra, and Mark Francis and his wife, Chantel; and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Buzzard, and two sisters-in-law, Kate Wick and Marg Northime.

FRANCIS — Funeral arrangements for Mary S. “Sue” Francis, who died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, are under the direction of HILE FUNERAL HOME of Chicora. A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at www.woundedwarrriorproject.org.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.