Frances J. (Prohonas) Frate

Frances J. Frate, was born in Cleveland on June 22, 1924 to Julia and George Prohonas. On May 3, 1941, she married John C. Frate. They moved to Valley City in 1951 where they raised their three children, Madeline Brookshire (Robert-deceased), John Frate (Deborah), and Nancy Baldwin (David). Fran retired from F. W. Woolworth, in Medina, after 29 years. She took pride in her work and trained dozens of young women on customer service skills. After John died in 1988, she moved to the Golden Villas, in Medina, where she flourished. She served as the Activities Committee chair for many years. While there, she met two people who were significant in her life: Jean Nilges with whom she traveled around the world; and, Jim Wiles who was her close friend and bingo buddy. Fran moved to Little River, South Carolina, in 2009 to live with Nancy and David. She lived happily there until her death on June 14, 2022. Her ashes will be buried beside her husband at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, in Valley City. She adored her grandchildren: Elliott Brookshire, Jocelyn Frate Buttolph (Ray), Brian Frate (Jaimie), and Anthony Frate. She was preceded in death by grandsons Matthew Brookshire and infant Johnny Frate. She was the loving great grandmother of Ava D’Agostino and Alyssa Buttolph as well as adopted great granddaughter Bella Ehinger. She leaves behind a half-sister, two sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews who all cherished her. Fran will be missed for her great conversations, her sense of humor, and her generous heart. A private family inurnment was held at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Valley City, OH. Family and friends will gather for a luncheon in  her honor on Saturday, July 30 at 12:00 Noon in the Parish Hall of St. Martin of Tours Church, 1800 Station Road, in Valley City.

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