Franciszka Marya Markiewicz Ronan

The Matriarch

Frances Ronan

Frances Marie was born in 1907 in the United States after her parents, Mathiu Markiewicz and Emilia Grabowska, emigrated from Austria-Hungaria. They traveled back to Austria-Hungaria in the early 1900's then returned to the Philadelphia area to live. There were four children; Frances, Branislav, Mary and Josephine . Branislav died at an early age in Austria-Hungaria.

Frances

Lvov, Austria-Hungaria,
the city in which Frances lived.

Francizka's Grabowski Grandparents
with her brother Branislav

Their mother, Emilia died when Frances was in the second grade. There were other children to be taken care of so Frances had to leave school to raise them. Mathiu, or Mike as he was called, worked on the railroad. In 1924 Frances married Martin Francis Ronan, Jr. from Chester, PA.

The Gang - Marty and Frances on far right

Martin was a hard working Irishman who had served in the Eighth Calvary in Texas guarding the Mexican border. They settled in Chester, PA and raised their two children, Martin and Frances there. Frances also raised her two sisters, Mary and Josephine. Then later she would raise her first grandchild, Carol Ronan Kane (that's me!). I came to her shortly after my birth and lived with Mom and Pop for eighteen years.

Frances was a hard working, church-going woman who lived her life very privately.  The Ronan's lived modestly, saving money when they could for their retirement.

Marty and Frances

The one pleasure Frances had was music. We always listened to the Liberace Show and The Lawrence Welk Show together on Saturday nights. (All right, All right. It was the fifties and children and parents actually watched TV together.) She provided piano lessons for me and eventually bought me a beautiful piano. I played the organ at St. Joseph's Church in Aston, PA. from the time I was in the fifth grade on through high school. Mom loved to attend Mass and listen to me play the organ. I wasn't that great, but she was very proud of me. In high school, it was recommended that I audition for the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. I was accepted. While Mommom pinched pennies on herself, she never thought twice about spending money on my education. In high school, I was selected to play the piano in the orchestra. I also accompanied our Glee Club and the senior class play, "South Pacific". Mommom attended all of our concerts and performances.

Mary, Frances and Josie

 Family meant everything to Frances.
She enjoyed seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her sisters played a big part in her life.

She was a quiet soul, who served God in many ways. She was a great friend and confidante to me in her later years. Mommom died in 1991 after a year of mini-strokes and other illnesses. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her.



Frances Ronan
1907 - 1991

Copyright © Carol Kane - March, 2002