Frances Balanda Obituary

KULPMONT - Frances M. Balanda, 82, passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024.

She was born in Shamokin, Jan. 10, 1942, Fran was a daughter of Francis and Julia (Horvath) Nagar.

Fran attended Wilson Grade School, in Kulpmont, and Kulpmont High School.

She married Thomas F. Balanda, of Shamokin, Aug. 8, 1964. Additionally, Fran attended classes, trained and graduated from Empire Beauty School.

She worked at both Kulpmont and Mount Carmel garment factories. Later, she joined the custodial staff at the Mount Carmel Elementary School for several years. In her retirement, Fran enjoyed working at Knoebels Amusement Resort assisting with catering at the Oasis Café.

Fran was a member of Church of the Holy Angels, in Kulpmont. Fran enjoyed volunteering at the parish bingo and the annual parish picnic, frying potato cakes.

She was a very good cook and spent time making spaghetti sauces, wedding soup, apple cakes, Christmas cookies and working with her husband, Tom, making delicious pumpkin rolls. She loved to shop and enjoyed watching QVC.

Fran was most content when she was busy working, spending time with her family and playing the slot machines at a variety of casinos. She made delicious holiday meals and absolutely loved decorating her home for each holiday throughout the year.

Her greatest joy was raising her two sons and she was very proud of their achievements. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, and being able to be in her own home brought her much fulfillment.

Frances is survived by two sons, Thomas Jr. and his wife, Michele, of York, and Mark and his wife, Lisa, of Hershey; a sister, Patricia Bingaman; a brother, John "Jack" Nagar; two sisters-in-law, Lois Platt and Mary Yordy and brother-in-law, Jim; three grandchildren, Alexis, Ryan and Marisa; four nieces, Bethann, Margie, Tammy and Annette; and a nephew, Chad.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; a sister-in-law, Jaye Balanda; and two brothers-in-law, John Balanda and Bob Platt.

BALANDA - Frances M. Balanda, 82, of Kulpmont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday with Father Andrew Stahmer as celebrant at Church of the Holy Angels, Kulpmont. Burial will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Mount Carmel Township. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Church of the Holy Angels, 855 Scott St., Kulpmont 17834. To send condolences to the family, go to www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com.