Frances (Balf) Melnicsak, beloved wife and lifelong friend of James F. McNally of West Hartford, CT departed this life peacefully on Friday, March 25, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Hartford, CT on May 14, 1932, she was the daughter of Frank A. Balf and Florence (Rush) Balf. Frances grew up in Hartford, attending the Cathedral of St. Joseph School from kindergarten to ninth grade. She graduated from Hartford Public High School and the University of Connecticut at Storrs. She also attended the Graduate School of Social Work at UConn and later earned a Master of Arts in Counseling Therapy from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford. Her education enhanced the qualities of kindness, sympathy and generosity that came naturally to her.  She was employed professionally at Catholic Family Services, Hartford Hospital’s Department of Social Work, the University of Hartford, and Hartford College for Women where she was a counselor and assistant administrator of a program designed to assist minority women in the workplace. She retired in 1990, having thoroughly enjoyed her chosen profession and the wonderful people she encountered.

Fran was known for her compassion and understanding. She loved people and they loved her. Fran was small in stature, but she had confidence and determination and was not afraid to take on any challenge for a worthy cause. She appreciated the beauty of nature and loved to birdwatch wherever she was. She was an avid reader and enjoyed writing children’s stories and poetry. The Cape house that her first husband designed and built for her proved to be a quiet haven where she could read, write and enjoy the ocean beaches with family and friends. She loved to sing and dance and enjoyed playing the piano. There were always fresh flowers on her dining table, a happy dog in the house and a homemade dessert baking in the oven. Fran was a loving wife, a wonderful mother and a loyal friend.

Fran was a communicant of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish for 42 years, where she was involved in teaching CCD classes, the church choir, and served on the Liturgy Committee. Later she became a parishioner of St. Peter Claver in West Hartford. Her faith, family and her friends were of most importance to her. Fran also volunteered as an assistant leader for the Girl Scouts, an activity she greatly enjoyed.

Besides her husband James, she leaves two cherished and devoted daughters, Nancy Melnicsak and her husband Douglas Greene of Portland CT, and Lisa Melnicsak and her husband Keith Kelley of Essex CT. Fran always said her daughters were her best friends, having shared many happy vacations with them at Cape Cod, Ireland, and other destinations. She also leaves many beloved cousins who enriched her life and whose companionship was very important to her. She highly valued her lifelong friends and maintained close ties with them. Frances was pre-deceased by her husband of 32 years, Arthur J. Melnicsak, in November 1991.

Fran knew her life was very much blessed with the family of four adult children, their spouses and 15 grandchildren that she joined in March of 2003 when she and James McNally were married. She also felt it a real privilege to spend time with the grandchildren who she loved dearly and who called her “Grannie Frannie”.

Fran’s family would like to thank her devoted and compassionate caregivers: Pearlena Patrick, Tracy Chamberlin, Karen Shoneck and Kimone Beckford-Nevins for their kindness, friendship and support during Fran’s illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Fran on Saturday, April 23 at 11:00am at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant Street, West Hartford, CT with a reception to follow. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Fran’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105), Covenant House (Times Square Station, P.O. Box 731 New York, NY 10108-0900) or an animal welfare charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.