Obituaries
Frances LeFever Faeth, 86
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
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Please accept my condolences for the passing of your Mother. I am glad I was able to help with her move back to Lancaster.
Teresa Heagy Wiedemer
Dear Mike, Keith, Jeff, and Bob,
I am sorry for your loss, but after reading the obits I can see that your mom really lived life to the fullest. I only had her in my life for 11 year short years. She was truly a blessing; always pleasant, with words of wisdom.
My heart goes out to you boys and Bob for your loss. She was an incredible woman, mother, sponsor, wife and friend. She will be missed.
Thank you for your phone call last night Mike. It meant a lot that you would consider calling me.
Jodee Kalmen
I will always be thankful to the meals-on-wheels program for bringing Fran and Bob into my life. I had the great pleasure of a weekly visit with them for close to three years before their last move. How Fran loved and was proud of her boys, and all her family! I’m happy I was able to finally meet Jeff and Keith while packing for the move, and putting faces to their names, as I had already met Mike during Fran’s last surgery. Your mom was so uplifting and positive during our time together. I last spoke with her on the 16th, and even then she said she was feeling a bit better and was looking forward to going home. I hope to live up to her example of facing adversity with dignity and faith, and the desire to make the best of things. My thanks to Mike for calling with the news. To Bob, I’m glad I was able to speak with you and I’ll be staying in touch. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
From, Anna Tracy in California
I was saddened to receive word from a retired colleague that Fran had died. I remember her well as the secretary of the history department when I arrived in 1970 and was sorry to see her leave in 1983. My condolences to all of you, and to Jeff, whom I remember well as one of the history department’s excellent majors.
Linda Clark
(LClark2@csulb.edu)
