Francis Graham Knox Laughner, 93, formerly of North Beaver Township, joined the Church Triumphant on Jan. 17, 2019.
Francis was born Dec. 8, 1925, in Star Junction, Pennsylvania, to John Boyd and Alberta Francis Graham Knox.
She graduated from Perry Township High School in 1943 and later from Westminster College with a two-year business degree.
Francis worked for Bell Telephone before marrying, which led to farm life on Wallace Road.
Her husband, J. William Laughner, to whom she had been married 45 years, died June 11, 1998.
A member of Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Francie enjoyed helping on the hospitality and library committees, as deacon and as nursery and Sunday School teacher. She cherished her church family and the bonds formed through worshipping and ministering together.
Francis served on the North Beaver Election Board and was a Cub Scout den mother. She was an avid reader, note writer and gardener, who loved the outdoors. An athlete herself, she loved cheering on her family at sporting events, as well as their musical and academic endeavors.
Francis reveled in her Irish heritage and found joy in gathering her clan for family meals. Around her table were eight children, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor Jane and George Buchanan; and a brother, John Graham Knox.
Surviving are her children, Jonathan (Beth) of New Galilee, Sue (Jim) Craig of Evans City, Rob (Cathy) of Big Sky, Montana, and Hugh (Diane) of New Castle; a sister Sue (Richard) Ullery of Kentucky; a sister-in-law, Carol Knox of Pittsburgh; and a loving bunch of nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will take place at Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church on March 2.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bethel EP Church Library Fund, Enon Valley, or Shenango Presbyterian SeniorCare in New Wilmington.
Published on January 23, 2019
New Castle News
http://obituaries.ncnewsonline.com/obituary/francis-laughner-1925-2019-1072360860
