Frances Marie Kwapis' Obituary
Frances Marie Kwapis, age 92, longtime resident of Madison Heights, Michigan passed away peacefully on March 13, 2024 at Troy Beaumont Hospital. She was born in Detroit on October 10, 1931, and raised on Detroit’s east side.
She was the baby sister to three 3 brothers and 1 sister who were part of a large extended Italian family of many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Traditions started by her parents at their home on Van Dyke have endured through their descendants for more than a century.
In the 1950’s she became a comptometer (early computer) operator, working in accounting departments at Uniroyal and the Chrysler Corporation. After her youngest child went to grade school she started a 21 year position with the Lamphere Schools as a lunch room supervisor.
She met her late husband of 66 years, Leonard, in 1957. She is survived by her 5 children Ann Marie (Bob Maher), Jeannie, David, John (dec), and Glenn, grandchildren Robbie (Skyler) and Michael Maher, and great grandchildren Penn and Sage Maher.
Her favorite thing to do was to spend time with her family, whether it was with her siblings, in-laws, children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren. She loved being a Mom. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, and cooking. Her Tollhouse Marble cookies were a favorite at family gatherings.
She was a founding member of St. Vincent Ferrer parish in Madison Heights, and remained active in the Mom’s Club, Bingo, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Altar Boy’s, and Bell Choir. She made rosaries and other crafts with RSVP Catholic Charities. For many years she was an election volunteer, and she was active with the Red Oaks Nature Center.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 23rd from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, 28353 Herbert Street, Madison Heights, Michigan followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM (https://stvincentferrer.net/). Burial will be privately held on a future date at Guardian Angel Cemetery, Rochester, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers family requests donations to St. Vincent DePaul Society and the American Heart Association.
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