Frances Zurakowski

November 18, 1927 - February 22, 2021

NORTH UTICA- FRANCES ZURAKOWSKI, 93, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center Frances was born on November 18, 1927, in Deerfield, NY, the daughter of the late Walter and Antonia (Chilipala) Okraszewski. She was a graduate of Whitesboro Central High School and The Excelsior School of Business. On July 23, 1949, in Holy Trinity Church, Frances married Louis J. Zurakowski. They enjoyed a blessed marriage of nearly 52 years prior to his passing on July 17, 2001. Frances was a secretary for the Utica City School District for over 20 years, retiring in 1988. She was a member of St. Peter’s Church. Frances also did volunteer work at SUNY Poly. Her greatest joy was coming from a loving family, being a nurturing mother, a kind and gentle grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and vacationing with family. She is survived by her three children, Dennis (Deborah) of FL, Gary (Toni) of FL, and Lori of NY; grandchildren, Amy of NY, Emily (Paul) of MI, Amanda (Chris) of NY, and Kayla and her companion, Scott of NY; great-grandchildren, Myles, Caroline and Savannah; one sister, Gladys Guba, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Charles and Teresa Zurakowski, Fred and Patricia Zurakowski, Gladys Zurakowski; many nieces and nephews, and a special niece, Pat (Vidoni) Biernat, and her husband John Biernat, whose homemade meals and apple pies always brought a smile to her face. She was predeceased by her sister, Stella, and brothers, Stanley and Stephen; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Andrew (Helen) Okraski, Charles (Ann) Okraski, Josephine (William) Kurdziolek, John Guba, Eugene Zurakowski, Josephine (Ben) Misiaszek, Eleanor (John) Casaletta, nephew, Charles Okraski, and niece, Cynthia (Bob) Pinto. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at MVHS and U.S. Cares for their services. Frances was truly blessed to have a strong bond with her daughter and granddaughter who provided the utmost care to her. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass to be celebrated on Saturday, July 17, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, North Utica. Inurnment will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Frances' name may be made to Stevens-Swan Humane Society, 4664 Horatio St., Utica, 13502 or online at www.stevens-swan.org Arrangements are under the direction of McGrath, Myslinski, Karboski & Nunn