Frances Anna Elencik Stash

Frances Anna Elencik Stash, 96, Jackson Twp., passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at her residence. Born on February 3, 1929, on the family farm in Jackson Twp., she was the daughter of Hungarian immigrants, of the late John and Anna Chewey Elencik. She grew up on the farm enjoying the woods and helping with the farmwork. Frances was the last surviving member of her immediate family and was very proud of her Slovak heritage.

Frances attended a one room schoolhouse, Oakdale, through 8th grade. She graduated from Lehman High School in 1946 as the salutatorian of her class. She then entered Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Wilkes-Barre and graduated in February 1950 as a Registered Nurse.

On July 15, 1950, she married Steven Joseph Stash in St. Stephen’s Slovak church. They started their life together in Jackson Twp., living in several different residences and raising a growing family together.

Frances and Steven had 9 surviving children. While raising her family, Frances worked over 25 years doing private duty nursing at Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. This enabled the family to take many summer tent-camping vacations across the United States and Canada, visiting all 48 continental states and many of the National Parks.

Having an exceptional green thumb, Frances grew many flowers both inside and outside in her flower beds. She also planted a very large garden every summer and canned many quarts of fruits and vegetables. Her large raspberry patch was well known to her regular customers who eagerly waited to purchase their quarts of berries every year. An avid bird watcher, she could recognize every songbird by the songs they sing. She made the best zucchini bread and fresh bread. She also enjoyed making nut and poppyseed rolls for the holidays.

A devout Catholic, Frances and her family were one of the first members of Gate of Heaven Parish in Dallas, when it was formed in 1950. Years later she became a member of Our Lady of Victory Church, Harveys Lake. Her faith in Jesus and the Blessed Mother and love for her family were most important to her. She defended the rights of the unborn by attending the March for Life and Operation Rescue events. She was a member of the Catholic Extension Mission Society and Our Lady of Fatima Apostolate of the Rosary.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Steven, infant children Phillip and Elizabeth, daughter Mary Stash, son-in-law Don Cawley; brothers – John, Frank, Joseph, George; sisters – Mary, Anna, Katherine, Agnes and Margaret.

Surviving are her daughters – Susan Miller (Richard), Lander, WY; Frances Stash, Camden, ME; Jane Cawley, Shavertown; Sons – Steve (Nancy McFarlane), Canby, OR; Michael Stash (her caregiver), Shavertown; Christopher Stash (Lola), Sheridan, OR: Charles Stash, McAdoo; Mark Stash, Canandaigua, NY. There are also 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, with twins due this December, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral service will be held Monday, June 9, 2025, at 10 a.m. from The Richard H. Disque Funeral Home, 2940 Memorial Highway, Dallas with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Gate of Heaven Church, Machell Ave. Dallas. Interment will follow in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Lehman. Friends may call Sunday, June 8 at the funeral home, from 6 to 8 p.m. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family would like to thank Dr. Aleemuddin and his staff for their support and kindness.