Poland, Frances Klamut Softich, 94

Frances Elenora Softich passed away peacefully on September 14th in the presence of the Lord and her family. She was born in New Castle to Ignacy and Honorata Bodziach. A few years later the family moved to their dairy farm near Harlansburg where she grew up with her sisters Bertha (Czubek), Effie (Gorgacz), and Ann (Sneizek) and her Brother Joe.

She graduated from Eastbrook High School in 1942 and then attended New Castle Business College. During World War 2, she worked at the Johnson Bronze Company as an administrative assistant and also on the assembly line making munitions for the war effort.

She met John Klamut shortly before his departure to the war in Europe in 1943. After his return from Germany in 1946, they were married on August 16, 1946. They lived on Jackson Ave in New Castle for many years and had three children who all survive her. Kristine, , John, and James. Frances also has three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren whom fondly have known her as "Babki".

After John’s unexpected death in 1961, Frances spent the next 15 years as a working mother dedicated to raising her children. She was employed by the New Model Baking Company, Universal Rundle and then the Treasurers office of Lawrence County. She was active in many organizations in the support of her children including the NeCaHi Band Parents.

In 1975, Frances married Edward Softich of Struthers Ohio. They lived in both Struthers and Poland Township and enjoyed a retirement full of dancing and travel. They loved the outdoors, swimming, running. She was a great story teller and leaves her family with a rich legacy of its past and Polish customs. She is survived by her three children, Kristine, John and Jackie, Jim and Maria, three grand children, Johanna and Doug Killian, John and Elizabeth Klamut, Jeffrey Klamut , and seven great children, Andrew, John Mark, Jack, Laura, Molly, Nathaniel, and Maggie.

Calling hours will held on Monday, September 18, 2017 from 5 - 7 pm at the Kirila Funeral Home,Inc., 258 Poland Avenue in Struthers. A funeral mass will be held on on Tuesday at 10 am at Christ Our Savior Parish, St. Nicholas Church in Struthers. A procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 am for mass. Burial will be in SS Philip & James Cemetery in New Castle.

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