I loved Fran.   We were line dance partners for so many years.
Each Friday, she would pick me up in her red car and we spent the morning dancing, had lunch together and became close and true friends.   She so loved her family and took so much joy in knitting the most adorable sweaters imaginable.
She loved her family celebrations and was sharp in mind, spirit and attitude.    She was one of the loveliest and kindest and generous people I know.
I miss her already.

She is predeceased by her husband of 30 years, Henry Balke.
In addition to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was an active volunteer offering support to others in need.  She was an Ombudsman calling on four local nursing homes and was honored as the Volunteer of the Year in that role.  She received a letter of recognition for her service from the President of the US.  She volunteered at LIJ offering support to families in need.  Family was the most important thing in her life.  She is predeceased by her sister, Adrienne.  She is survived by 3 children, Scott [Wendy], Steven [Erin], Mara [Jim], and 2 step children, Henry [Eugenia] and Liz [John].  She enjoyed spending time with her 8 grandchildren all of whom enjoyed receiving her beautiful hand knitted garments. The knitting continued until her last year of life as she worked to ensure her 8 great grandchildren would have sweaters after she was gone.  Surviving grandchildren are Felicia [John], Jami [Jason], Leslie [Joe], Dena, Jordan, Maddie [Vitale], Sara, and Levi. Her family will remember her as a strong, intelligent, independent, hard working woman who instilled those same values in her children.  They will also cherish the memories of the annual vacations she bestowed upon them where they all gathered in exotic settings to share a week together.   She felt money in the bank was better spent seeing the people she loved enjoying time together on these trips.   She was wise, quick witted and funny.   She was a great champion for her family, an unstoppable advocate offering support when needed.   She was tough as nails, yet also kind and generous.  She was a great champion for her family, an unstoppable advocate offering support when needed.   She was tough as nails, yet also kind and generous.  She traveled the country to spend time with family.   She loved to dance and took dance classes well into her 80’s.  She enjoyed shopping, especially with her sister.  

Francine Balke, 92, passed away on Sept 30, 2021.  She was born to the late Jeanne Paster and the late David Paster.  She is predeceased by her husband of 30 years, Henry Balke.
In addition to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was an active volunteer offering support to others in need.  She was an Ombudsman calling on four local nursing homes and was honored as the Volunteer of the Year in that role.  She received a letter of recognition for her service from the President of the US.  She volunteered in the surgical waiting area at LIJ offering support to families in need. 
Family was the most important thing in Fran’s life.  She is predeceased by her sister, Adrienne.  She is survived by her three children, Scott, Steven, Mara, and two step children, Henry and Liz .  She enjoyed spending time with her eight grandchildren who enjoyed receiving her beautiful hand knitted sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets.  The knitting continued until her last year of life as she worked feverishly to ensure her eight great grandchildren would have sweaters.  Surviving grandchildren are Felicia, Jami, Leslie, Dena, Jordan, Maddie, Sara, and Levi.  
All will remember her as a strong, intelligent, independent, hard working woman who instilled those same values in her children.  They will also cherish the memories of the annual vacations she bestowed upon them where they all gathered in exotic settings to share a week together.   She felt money in the bank was better spent seeing the people she loved enjoying time together on these trips.   She was wise, quick witted and funny.   She was a champion for her family, an unstoppable advocate offering support when needed.  
All will remember her with her enormous, weighty handbags full of candy, flashlights and water bottles, as well as her unparalleled interest in surrounding herself and her family with an unending supply of chocolate. 
A private Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, October 4th

OBITUARY

Francine Balke

19 July, 1929 – 30 September, 2021

Riverside-Nassau North Chapels

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