Frances F. Everline

The close-knit family had fun together, using “zingers” when necessary to keep each other in line.

“Mom was very gracious and ladylike, but there was a streak of something else that came out every once in a while,” Kathy said.

“She got zingers at him and we did, too,” said John, referring to Bus.

“That’s where I get my humility,” Bus said.

He holds up a huge stack of sympathy cards, reflective of how many people Frankie had touched during her life.

“I am truly amazed and humbled by the expressions of love and caring and friendship,” Bus said of the cards, flowers, food and phone calls to the family since Frankie’s death.

“She was a much loved person,” Bus said.

In recent years, Frankie had not been in the best of health. A fall on May 21, after making a big pot of soup and as she was putting the last pan of cookies into the oven, caused her to break a hip, a fall from which she never recovered.

“She wanted it to be over, because she was tired, very tired. She couldn’t really be Frankie anymore,” Bus said.

“Father Joe said she’s probably cooking up a storm in heaven and waiting for us to come,” Kathy said.

Editor’s note:  Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail runs “A Life Remembered.” Each story in this continuing series takes a look back — through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others — at a member of the community who died recently. Today’s “A Life Remembered”  is about Frances F. Everline who died June 12 at the age of 89. Her obituary was published in the June 14 edition of The Herald-Mail.