Frances H. (Prince) Ziarkowski

SALEM - Mrs. Frances H. (Prince) Ziarkowski, 93 of Salem, beloved wife of the late Chester J. Ziarkowski, passed away on Monday, May 1st, 2023 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers.

Born and raised in Brownville Junction, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Florence (Jardine) Prince. Fran moved to Peabody following the death of her mother in 1943, where aunts on her mother’s and father’s sides took her under their wings. She graduated from Peabody High School in 1947.

After graduation, Fran embarked on what became a 42-year career in the Accounting Department at the former New England Telephone and Telegraph Company (later NYNEX, now part of Verizon). She was highly respected for her attention to detail, strong work ethic, and dedication.

A loving wife, aunt, and cousin, Fran loved her extended family—her cousins and their families, Chet’s nieces and their families as well as Chet’s relatives in Poland. Fran had an infectious laugh, a feisty personality, and a sparkle in her eyes that made you wonder what she was really thinking. She was a longtime member of Wesley United Methodist Church and a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

After living on Barstow Street for more than 40 years, Fran moved to the John Bertram House in 2019. Her family will be forever grateful to the many wonderful people who cared for her, especially considering the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fran will be deeply missed by her loving family and friends. Surviving Fran are her first cousin once removed and primary care taker, Janet Prince of Portsmouth, NH and her first cousins once removed, David Prince of Winslow, ME and William Prince of Nashville, TN; members of Chet’s family, including Kamilla (Ganglani) Lavoie of Salem, Scott Grenier of South Berwick, ME, Heidi (Grenier) Labrecque of Gloucester, MA, Janice Fearn of Shrewsbury, MA, and Brenda Sullivan of Camden, ME; and many close friends.

Fran was predeceased by her husband, Chet, her “double” first cousin, Robert Prince (their mothers were sisters and their fathers were brothers) as well as her Canadian Jardine cousins—Jean, Paul, Robert, and Edith Anne.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral service will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM on Tuesday, May 9th at 11 A.M. Visiting hours will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Burial in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Frances’s name to the City of Salem in support of the Mayor Jean Levesque Community Life Center (C/O City of Salem, Massachusetts, 93 Washington Street, Salem, MA 01970). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

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