Frances “Nancy” Sackett, of Collier Township, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. She was 95 years old – and what an amazing, rich 95 years they were! Nancy was born in Fort Pitt in 1925. Sadly, she was raised in foster care in what is now called South Side Slopes from age 5 to 17, then lived with an aunt and uncle in Glendale, Scott Township. She graduated from Clark High School in 1944, and from the Mercy School of Nursing in 1948. Nancy worked at the VA Hospital in Aspinwall until her marriage in 1956. When she and her husband separated, she went to work at Shadyside Hospital to support herself and her son. She eventually returned to the VA, working at their Oakland hospital for the rest of her career.
Her energy and determination were boundless during the years she raised her son. She worked full-time, took care of household chores and cooked actual home-made dinners. She really appreciated the relaxed conversation over those dinners after a long day. Her love and devotion for her son were endless, right up to her last day. Her son didn’t always necessarily reflect his good upbringing, but Nancy gets credit for doing an excellent job nonetheless.
Nancy was loved by many for her intelligence, interesting conversations, sense of humor and infectious laugh. She was admired for her personal strength and resourcefulness. The world is a better place for her having been here, and she will be sorely missed. “So long for now!”
She is survived by her son, Leroy “Lee” Sackett, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and many, many friends spanning several generations. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Minton and Julia Kaczmarczyk Barnovich, stepfather Anthony Barnovich, her brother Bill and sister Lil, and her beautiful dogs Daisy and Rusty. She was the last surviving member of both her high school class and her class at nursing school.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the SZAFRANSKI-EBERLEIN FUNERAL HOME, INC., where family and friends will be received on Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 11a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 101 Third St., Carnegie. A blessing service will be held at 1:30 p.m. following the visitation.
Frances will be laid to rest in Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery.
Masks are required for the visitation, blessing service and burial.
www.szafranski-eberleinfuneralhome.com (412)276-1107