Frances (Fran) M. Podhany, 93, a resident of The Pines Senior Living in Clarks Summit and formerly of Long Island, NY, passed away Sunday morning, June 18th at Marywood Heights Nursing Home, Scranton. Her husband of 54 years, Michael (Mike) J. Podhany passed away in 2009.
Born in Bayonne, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Dickerhof. After graduating high school, Fran received her nursing school certificate from Seton Hall Hospital, and years later, a Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph’s College. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in West Islip, NY, and attended Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church in West Babylon, NY, while a resident of Sunrise Assisted Living in Babylon, NY. She worked as an RN at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip for 34 years and was the overnight nursing administrative supervisor for many years prior to her retirement in 1995.
Having spent summers from the time she was a young girl vacationing on Long Island at her family’s summer bungalows on the South Shore of Long Island, she loved the beach, boating and fishing with family and friends. Making her home with her husband, Mike, in West Islip, also on the South Shore of Long Island, they raised five children. As an only child, Fran said she wanted a big family, and she enjoyed making elaborate family dinners on Sundays, holidays, birthdays and every other milestone in her family’s lives. She loved cooking and baking, and was known for her signature nut tassies, lemon bars and especially her cheesecake of which many friends asked her to bake for them for their holidays. Her door was always open and always said she “throws an extra potato in the pot because there’s always room for one more at the table.” She happily celebrated her 93rd birthday on June 3 with a big luncheon at Marywood with her children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and great-great granddaughter.
Fran also loved crocheting, was an avid reader, and a whiz at crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and any other game involving words. She enjoyed bus trips to Atlantic City, Broadway, and off-Broadway plays, and also, when not cooking, dining out with her husband, family and friends. When her children were young, Fran was a Girl Scout leader, and served as Vice President and President of the PTA where she helped pioneer raising money for the school and children’s activities by making homemade crafts for sale at the elementary school’s Christmas fair, as well as soliciting donations from local businesses.
Fran is survived by daughters Diane M. Podhany and her companion, Dennis Bailey, and Jeane Podhany Miller; sons Michael Podhany and his wife Michelle, and Thomas J. Podhany and his wife Carol; 8 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Judith (Judy) A. Oakes.
Private cremation took place at Lake Region Crematory at the James Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Ariel, PA.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 29 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church, 666 Albin Ave. West Babylon, NY 11704. Interment at North Babylon Cemetery to follow.
The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Claude R. Boyd – Spencer Funeral Home, 448 W. Main Street, Babylon, NY 11702, on Friday, July 28 from 2:00-4:30 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm.