Frances Olszewski Taylor

It is with sadness that we note the passing on Sunday of Mrs. Olszewski. She was an important and loved member of the Alliance College Family. Her late husband, children and many other relatives were alums of Alliance College. Our sympathy to the family on the passing of this special lady.

 

Friends are invited to call at Van Matre Funeral Home, Cambridge Springs, on Friday, August 26, from 4-8 pm and to a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on Saturday, August 27, at 10 am with the Rev. Fr. Mark Nowak as celebrant. Interment will follow at Cambridge Cemetery.

RIP.

Frances Olszewski Taylor of Clearfield died August 21, 2022, nine days short of her 94th birthday at the home of her daughter, Joan Kroell, surrounded by her family.

Frances was born in Cambridge Springs on August 30, 1928, the first daughter of a family of fifteen children born to the late Frank H Styborski and Antonia Oleska Styborski.

 

She “worked hard as any man on the family farm” before marrying Casimir John Olszewski on June 12, 1948. She and Cas managed to raise a family of nine successful children with families of their own. She had worked in the kitchen of Alliance College and was an active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Cambridge Springs and Polish National Alliance Lodge 1540.

 

After fifty-two happily married, years, Cas passed away on February 19, 2001. Frances met Michael Taylor from Brockway, PA, and they were married on March 8, 2010. They shared a great and powerful love and enjoyed traveling and playing bingo together. Frances encompassed all of Mike’s children in her circle of love. Everyone who knew her, loved her laughter, feisty personality, and undying love for her family.

 

In the final week of her life Frances was visited by all nine of her children and shared moments of joy, sadness, and laughter. Everyone in the family and medical profession knew that Mom took her pills at 8am and 8 pm SHARP! We know her next journey will take her where she needs to be, but our sorrow is inevitable. In addition to her first husband, Casmir Olszewski, Frances was preceded in death by ten brothers and one sister.

 

Survivors include husband, Michael Donald Taylor; daughter, Christine (Dick) Bidwell; daughter, Joan (late Bob) Kroell; daughter, Jane (late Gary) Harry; son, Casimir (Stephanie) Olszewski; daughter, Regina (Glenn) Reynolds; daughter, Susie Hutchins; son, Paul (Annette) Olszewski; son, Chester (Jenny) Olszewski; son, Steve (Carla) Olszewski; stepchildren, Mike Taylor, Lori (Chuck) Strouse, Patty (Kevin) Taylor, and Kelly (Michelle) Taylor; twenty-four grandchildren; thirty-three great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

 

Frances’ youngest grandchild was born on the day of her passing. Rachel, the child’s mother remarked, “I was able to share the title of mother with the strongest mother I knew, even if it was just for a few hours. She will be missed.”

 

Pray for the family in the days ahead as they celebrate Frances’ remarkable life. Friends are invited to call at Van Matre Funeral Home, Cambridge Springs, on Friday, August 26, from 4-8 pm and to a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on Saturday, August 27, at 10 am with the Rev. Fr. Mark Nowak as celebrant. Interment will follow at Cambridge Cemetery.

 

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Penn Highland or Spinal Cord Society.