Frances
Frances Kenner Parke
Frances Kenner Parke, 95, of Lancaster, PA passed away at the Mennonite Home with family at her side on January 21, 2015. She was the widow of Donald W. Parke, who died in 2013 after a marriage of 71 years. Born in Baltimore, MD, the daughter of Hurnard J. and Lily (Steffey) Kenner, she attended schools in New Rochelle, NY and was a 1941 graduate of Duke University.
Following college, Frances spent many years as a devoted wife and mother. After her children had grown, she became a reporter, then editor, for the Family section of the Lancaster New Era for about ten years, until her retirement in 1976. She and her husband were active members of First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, where she served as a deacon in later life.
Among her great loves were family, socializing with people, and words, which inspired such hobbies as cooking, volunteer work, and crossword puzzles. Her volunteer activities included those connected to the church, the Lancaster Summer Arts Festival, and the Lancaster Public Library.
In addition to her husband, she was pre-deceased by a daughter, Linda Gallagher (wife of Peter A. Gallagher). She is survived by a daughter, Donna Ornston (wife of Nicholas), of Hamden, CT; by a grandson, Darius Ornston (Roxy Burghelea) of Toronto, Canada; and by a step-granddaughter Alexandra Ornston (Makoto Ueda) of Gifu City, Japan, as well as four great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express its great appreciation for the kind and loving care that Frances received from the dedicated staff of Swarr Run at the Mennonite Home and from Hospice and Community Care during her final days.
Interment in the First Presbyterian Church’s Memorial Gardens will be private. A memorial service at the church will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Benevolent Care Fund of the Mennonite Home, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Following college, Frances spent many years as a devoted wife and mother. After her children had grown, she became a reporter, then editor, for the Family section of the Lancaster New Era for about ten years, until her retirement in 1976. She and her husband were active members of First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, where she served as a deacon in later life.
Among her great loves were family, socializing with people, and words, which inspired such hobbies as cooking, volunteer work, and crossword puzzles. Her volunteer activities included those connected to the church, the Lancaster Summer Arts Festival, and the Lancaster Public Library.
In addition to her husband, she was pre-deceased by a daughter, Linda Gallagher (wife of Peter A. Gallagher). She is survived by a daughter, Donna Ornston (wife of Nicholas), of Hamden, CT; by a grandson, Darius Ornston (Roxy Burghelea) of Toronto, Canada; and by a step-granddaughter Alexandra Ornston (Makoto Ueda) of Gifu City, Japan, as well as four great-grandchildren.
The family would like to express its great appreciation for the kind and loving care that Frances received from the dedicated staff of Swarr Run at the Mennonite Home and from Hospice and Community Care during her final days.
Interment in the First Presbyterian Church’s Memorial Gardens will be private. A memorial service at the church will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Benevolent Care Fund of the Mennonite Home, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601, to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125, or to a charity of one’s choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Kenner Parke, please visit our flower store.
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