Frances (Fran) M. Podhany, 93, a resident of West Islip, NY for 61 years passed away Sunday morning, June 18th at Marywood Heights Nursing Home, in Scranton, PA. Her husband of 55 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 and attended Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church in West Babylon while a resident of Sunrise Assisted Living in Babylon. She worked as an RN at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip for 34 years starting out as a weekend float until she had the distinction of becoming the first full-time staff nurse in the Emergency Room on nights. She became the overnight nursing administrative supervisor for many years prior to her retirement in 1995.
A true Long Islander, she loved the beach, fishing and boating with family and friends having spent summers from the time she was a young girl vacationing at her family’s summer bungalows on Knoll Street in Lindenhurst – a tradition she passed along to her children while they were growing up. Fran made her home with her husband, Mike, in West Islip, where they raised their five children. When her children were young, Fran was a Girl Scout leader, and served as Vice President and President of the West Islip 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.
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 and lemon bars on Easter and Christmas, and especially her cheesecake for many other occasions. Her door was always open, and she would say she “throws an extra potato in the pot because there’s always room for one more at the table.”
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 -- when not cooking at home -- dining out with her husband, family, and friends. She happily celebrated her 93rd birthday on June 3 with a big luncheon at Marywood in PA with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great granddaughter.
She 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 preceded in death by a daughter, Judith (Judy) A. Oakes in 2019.
Private cremation took place at Lake Region Crematory, Lake Ariel, PA.
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.
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.
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