Frances M. "Fran" (Connor) Celatka, 92, a longtime resident of Memorial Drive in the Fairview section of Chicopee, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 9, 2012. She passed into Eternal Life at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family and her wonderful caregivers. She was born in Holyoke on March 26, 1919, a beloved daughter of the late Stewart J. and Annie (Wright) Connor. She was raised in Holyoke, graduated from Holyoke High School and lived in the city for many years before moving to the Fairview section of Chicopee in 1955. Fran and her late husband owned and operated the Celatka Insurance Agency on Memorial Drive in Fairview where she was secretary for several years. During her younger years, while raising her family, she was active with the Brownies and Girl Scouts and with the Parent Teachers Association of the former Fairview Memorial and Elementary Schools. As an active member, she was involved with many activities at the Faith United Methodist Church in Fairview. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 59 years, Edward T. Celatka, who passed away on July 15, 2001. She leaves: her loving children, Jane E. Kalagher and her husband, Dan, of Newmarket, NH, Debra A. Celatka and her husband, Alan, Roderiques, of Easthampton, Sally J. Celatka and her husband, John Davis, of Troutdale, OR and Robert E. Celatka and his wife, Madeleine, of Ashland, MA; her nine cherished grandchildren whom she adored, Sean Kalagher and his wife, Jessica, Sharon Kalagher and her husband, Wilson Contreras, Timothy Roderiques, Jason Roderiques, Justin Davis, Sasha Davis, Jillian Celatka, David Celatka and Michael Celatka; her cherished great-grandson, Daniel Kalagher-Contreras; her dear nephew, William Peters of Arizona; and her dear nieces, Polly Malsbury and her husband, Bob, of Monson and Carol McManamy and her husband, Walter, of Chicopee. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her dear brother and sister, William Connor and Dorothy Peters. Her relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service on Saturday morning, February 18, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Faith United Methodist Church, 191 Montcalm Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will be private at Notre Dame Cemetery, South Hadley. There are no visiting hours. Her funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the St. Pierre Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family has requested that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Faith United Methodist Church, 191 Montcalm Street, Chicopee, MA 01020

Published in The Republican from February 14 to February 15, 2012