Frances LeFever Faeth, 86, of Lancaster, PA and Laderia Ranch, CA passed away on Monday, August 24, 2009 at the Lancaster General Hospital.

Born January 6, 1923 in Gastonia, NC, she was the youngest of seven siblings born to the late Rev. George R. and Jesse M. Gillespie. She is survived by her brother Charles of High Point, NC.

Fran attended Montreat College and worked at the Firestone Rubber Plant in Gastonia before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1944. She was stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, DC as a Yeoman 3rd Class and received the American Campaign and Victory Ribbons.

After World War II, she married the late Norwood G. (Woody) LeFever and moved to Lancaster. A member of Bethany Presbyterian Church, she was the first women Presbyterian elder in Lancaster County. She was very active in the community in Lancaster and California as she sponsored, supported, and mentored many women. Frances retired from Millersville University in 1983 where she served as the administrative assistant to several academic departments.

In 1991, Frances married Robert Faeth and the couple lived in Texas and southern California until relocating to Lancaster in June.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Faeth, and her three sons, Michael LeFever, husband of Malissa Burnette, of Columbia, SC, Jeffrey LeFevre, husband of Melanie, of Lancaster, and Keith LeFever of Ueberlingen, Germany; seven grandchildren Graeson, Zander, Abigail, Vanessa, Grant, Cheyenne, and Savannah, and one great-grandson, Xavier.

A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church 140 E. Orange St. Lancaster, PA 17602 on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 10am with the Rev. Don Hackett officiating. A visitation with the family will be at church from 9:30-10am. Interment will take place from Conestoga Memorial Park with Military Honors rendered by the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, friends may choose to make a contribution in remembrance of Fran to the Lancaster General Health Foundation (Palliative Care Unit), P.O. 3555, Lancaster, PA 17604. Arrangements made by Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 414 E. King St., Lancaster, PA 17602. To send the family an online condolence, please visit snyderfuneralhome.com