Obituary of Martha E. Franco

Martha E. Franco, 98, of Honesdale, died Saturday morning, February 16, 2013 at Bethany Village where she been a resident since August of 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Franco who died March 24, 2007. Born on May 28, 1914 in Marietta, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Theodore and Minnie B. Chichester Engstrand. Martha graduated from Honesdale High School, Class of 1931. She was the proprietress of The Margaret Shop in Honesdale from 1976 until 1988; she was previously employed by Margaret L. Molter for eight years. A Bell Telephone Company switchboard operator for 20 years, having the distinction of taking the last operator assisted call from Hawley on Sunday, February 5, 1961 before the conversion to dial service at 2:01 A.M. Her father, a native of Sweden, established the Honesdale Greenhouse on Tryon Street in 1922. Martha assisted him in the business until the sale of the property in 1947 to John P. Knash. In later years Martha had a flower garden in back of her residence on Main Street (now Maude Alley) which was admired by many. Proud of her Swedish heritage she maintained a prolific correspondence with her cousin Tommy Bolander in Lulea, Sweden. When her parents married in July 1912 they sailed to Sweden on their wedding trip to visit his family. The original plan was to sail on the Titanic following their wedding, however, on its maiden voyage it sank on April 14th of that year. Martha was an avid reader of many forms of literature; she thoroughly enjoyed classical music and opera, she also appreciated various works of art. She enjoyed sharing memories and recollections of the Tracy Street School, and when the school was closed on February 9, 1926 the students marched "two-by-two" from the school to the Lincoln School on Willow Avenue. Martha was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and was a former member of the Senior Choir of which she said, "one of my greatest pleasures." She was also a former member of the Wayne Choralaires and a current member of the Wayne County Historical Society. She is survived by a nephew: David R. Wright, of Seelyville; a niece: Martha C. Doris of The Villages, Florida; a great-niece: Karen Anne Tracy; a great nephew: Robert David Bodewaldt; a sister-in-law, Yolanda Franco of Honesdale. Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. in St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Honesdale with Rev. Kenneth Buckwalter officiating. Friends may visit from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church. Interment of cremains will be in Glen Dyberry Cemetery, Honesdale. Memorial Contributions may be made in Martha's memory to: St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Organ Fund, 7th and Church Street, Honesdale, Pa 18431, Wayne County Public Library,1406 Main Street, Honesdale, Pa 18431, or Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes Barre, Pa 18702 Arrangements are attended by the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home 1228 North Main Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.