Frances Marie ‘Fritz’ Bucich Sanko – Center Township, formerly of Donora

Frances Marie “Fritz” Bucich Sanko, 89, of Center Township, formerly of Dono-ra, passed away at the age of 89 on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, in Moon Township. She was born in Donora, on Oct. 24, 1930, in the first year of the Great Depression to the late Anton and Katherine Yaksic Bucich. Frances was the youngest daughter in a family of 11 children, seven girls and four boys. She left school before graduating to go to work to support her family. This was the start of many years of hard work at humble jobs, but she always went to work and returned home with a smile on her face. Frances married Clarence “Tam” Sanko in 1954. They settled in Donora and raised a family, three boys and a girl. They eventually moved into the Bucich family homestead, where they lived for many years until Clarence passed away in 1993. Frances’ jobs included press operator at Diamond Cleaners, bartender at St. Nick’s Club and Bar, and custodian at St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church and Borough of Donora Town Hall. Frances’ life’s work was in service to people. She took care of countless people in her life, from her immediate family to her beloved grandchildren to friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Frances had an amazing talent of making friends everywhere she went, and she could strike up a conversation with anyone. She was a wonderful cook and she loved to prepare holiday feasts for the extended family. She also loved music and had a beautiful singing voice. She loved to dance and could always be found on the dance floor at weddings whenever the band played a polka. She was a devout Catholic and a faithful member of St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in Donora, and St. Francis Cabrini Roman Catholic Church in Center Township. Frances Sanko is survived by her four children, Thomas Sanko (Vicky Hunsicker Sanko), Redmond, Wash.; Ronald Sanko, (Terri Sanko) Ocean Pines, Md.; Robert Sanko (Mary Ellen Sanko), Pensacola, Fla.; and Mary Kay Sanko Grippa (Herman Pardo), Butler, Pa.; four granddaughters, Stacy, Amy, Isabela and Katrina; and three great-grandchildren, Kellen, Griffin and Laila. She is also survived by three brothers, Anthony “Chook” Bucich, Paul Bucich and Donald Bucich; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Center Township Senior Apartments and the staff of West Hills Rehabilitation Center for taking care of our mom. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at TATALOVICH FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., Center Township, 3475 Brodhead Road, Monaca, PA 15061, where a service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Center Township. Interment will take place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Donora. Frances Sanko. She cared for people.