Frances Jeanne (Crockett) Gonya, 76, of Fremont, OH passed away on July 11, 2020 at her home. She was born on September 6, 1943 in Washington, DC the daughter of James and Mary (Mathews) Crockett. Fran was a 1961 graduate of Holy Cross High School in Washington, DC. She then received her Associate Degree in Business from Strayer College.
Fran married John V. Gonya on May 1, 1965 at St. Thomas Apostle Catholic Church in Washington, DC. She worked at Riggs National Bank in Washington, DC. She was a piano and organ teacher in Fremont, OH to many students for over 30 years. Fran was also the organist and choir director at St. Joseph Catholic Church for twelve years.
Fran was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She had a true passion for music and enjoyed flower gardening, cooking and decorating her home for the holidays. She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Fran is survived by her husband of fifty-five years, John V. Gonya, Fremont; daughters, Lisa (Frank Cumella) Nieman, Lima, OH, Sharon (Brad) Hall, Cleveland, NC and Julia (Geoff) Vasquez, Toledo, OH; grandchildren, Alexa, Ava, Jacob and Nicholas Nieman, Ashton, Haunhorst, Ayden Gillmor, Addison and Oliva Vasquez; cousins, Mary (Harry) Hein-Porter and Glenn “Skip” (Sharon) Hein; brothers and sister-in-law, Thomas (Margie) Gonya, James Gonya, Gerry (Linda) Gonya and Jane Gonya.
She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved aunt and uncle, Metheal and Glenn Hein.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Wonderly Horvath Hanes Funeral Home and Crematory, 425 E State St., Fremont, OH.
The family kindly requests the use of face masks or coverings during visitation, mass, and graveside services. Social distancing will be observed throughout all services with wait times taking place outdoors. If you would prefer, you may express your condolences at www.whhfh.comor call the funeral home at 419-332-6409 to request that your name be signed in the guest book.
Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, July 16, 2020; 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 709 Croghan St., Fremont, OH.
Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery, Fremont, OH
Memorials: St. Joseph Catholic Church Music Department or Heartland Hospice
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Stephen fox
I will miss her
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Thank you Stephen! She loved you too.
Sr. Janet Marie
Know my prayers are with you as you mourn Fran’s passing. I am grateful for having known her and her love for life and the family!
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and famliies
Thank you for your kind words Sr. Janet Marie! She indeed had a love for life and her family.
Regards,
Donna Durst
John and family~my sincere condolences in the passing of Fran. Although I haven’t seen her for along time, I always liked seeing her and talking to her. Sending prayers to all for your comfort and peace.
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Donna,
Your memories of Fran are providing comfort to us all as we read your condolence.
Best,
Jane Gonya
Eternal rest grant unto you Fran. You were a great sister-in-law and I will miss you. You And John left us with many memories in your home, Pool gatherings and Christmas get together’s. You always had a smile and a gracious hug for all of us. I will miss you playing the piano and the organ and your dedication to your music!
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Thanks Aunt Jane! She truly will be missed but has provided all of us such wonderful memories.
Regards,
Tom Widman
John&family-My heart goes out to you on the loss of Fran.I so enjoyed visiting while she was helping Nancy with organ.She was truely a beautifull person.
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and famlies
Tom,
We all thank you for sharing your memories of Fran.
Regards,
Cathy & Roger Miller
John and family, You have our sincere condolences for the loss of Fran. May our Lord keep you in His loving care as you go through this difficult time. Cathy & Roger Miller
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Cathy and Roger,
Thank you for your kinds words as we use them to find comfort in the days ahead.
Regards,
Anne Marquis
My prayers for all the family. So loved her music.
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Anne,
Yes, we all loved her music! Thank you for your kinds words.
Regards,
Kathy and Denny VanWey
Eternal peace and blessings. We will greatly miss you. Condolences to John and family.
John,Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Kathy and Denny,
Thank you for taking the time to add your condolences, the family treasures the thoughts of those who will miss her too.
Susan Smith
John- so sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. We miss seeing you and hope she had a peaceful exit to be with Jesus in heaven. Lots of love from the Smith Family.
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Susan,
Fran was at home surrounded by her family and her wonderful caretakers. Thank you for your kind words.
Suzanne Gay
Lisa and family,
We are so sorry for the loss your family has suffered. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love and hugs to all!
Al and Suzanne Gay & family
Lisa
Thank you Suzanne! I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Love to you and your beautiful family!
Nathan Herb
I am forever grateful to Fran for sharing her love of music with me and encouraging me to study music professionally. She got me started subbing for Masses at St. Joseph’s Church playing piano. Then began to give me lessons in high school on the organ at St. Joseph and helped me prepare for my auditions at BGSU where I studied organ. Her love for sacred music and the organ is truly why I’m doing what I do now and I’m so thankful for all the years I was able to work with Fran. She was truly a special lady who I will never forget. I have many fond memories of practicing organ and piano duets in the organ loft and practicing music together for Christmas and Easter. We did more laughing than practicing usually LoL – she had an infectious laugh that I can still hear 🙂 I will think of her often – every time I hike the stairs to the organ loft at St. Joseph’s and play the organ. Fran thank you for being a great friend, mentor and one of the kindest, sweetest people I’ve known. John and family – you are in my prayers. May you rest in God’s loving embrace.
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Nathan,
Your wonderful memories of Fran have touched all of us who read this. She would be so proud to know what an inspiration she was to you! Im so glad a piece of her lives on in you. We consider that an incredible gift! In her last days here, she did speak your name as we had her beloved piano music playing in the background for her.
Best,
Linda Fay Gonya
John and family~my sincere condolences in the passing of Fran. Although I haven’t seen her for a long time, I will always remember her loving and gracious personality and How well the two of you worked together to make a wonderful life and home for your family. We all have cherished memories of your family in which she was a very big part
Sending prayers to all for your comfort and peace.
In my thoughts and prayers
Linda Fay Gonya
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Linda,
Thank you for sharing your memories of Fran. The family is finding peace knowing how many others she touched with her smile, laugh and genuine zest for life, love and family.
Best,
Tom Hoffman
John, I am so very sorry for your loss! You are in my prayers!!!
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Tom,
Thank you for taking the time to extend your condolences. It means so much to the family.
Tom & Deb Herb
Our thoughts and prayers are with you John and family. Fran will truly be missed, but never forgotten. We have so many happy memories of singing in Fran’s choir at church. May she continue to bless you John with great memories.
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Tom and Deb,
We cherish the memories you share with us. She was an inspiration to us all.
Kind Regards,
Jane Strayer
John and Family,
Greg and I wish to pass along our sincere condolences on the passing of Fran. I can still see her through her window, at her piano, from our front porch, as she passed along her love of music to so many kids, including our girls. – (how convenient to have their piano teacher across the street.) It seems the girls would always come home with a funny story about their lesson across the street. They could imitate her laugh exactly! She was an inspiration to her many students. She will be missed by so many ! Blessings to you, John, and your girls.
In sympathy,
Jane and Greg Strayer
John, Lisa, Sharon, Julie and families
Jane and Greg,
Your memories of Fran bring a smile to our face as we write this to you. What wonderful memories she was able to provide!. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
Regards