Francene L. Golda

A lifelong Jersey resident, she was born and lived briefly in Newark, then resided in Elizabeth, Rahway, and Scotch Plains before relocating to Ocean County.

Francene met Stanley, the love of her life, at a Halloween dance when she was 14 years old. After she completed nursing school, and he finished his service in the army during peace time, Fran and Stan were married ‘til death did them part after 54 years of marriage; she liked to say they had 63 years together.

Francene worked at several Union County hospitals as an R.N., her last job being on the team of the Post Anesthesia Care Unit at what was then called Rahway Hospital. She always enjoyed sharing of her health and safety knowledge – and reminding people to wash their hands! A few years after retiring, in 1991 she put her nursing skills back into action as she became a devoted round-the-clock caregiver for her husband. Her loving care stretched his “six months to two years” prognosis into 26 more years that she would have with her one and only.

Prior to her husband’s stroke, Francene enjoyed trips with him and their dear friends to the Poconos and Hawaii. The couple took their children Tracey (Paradiso), Vincent, and Glen on many trips - to the beach, camping adventures, Disney, and Bermuda. She loved the time she had on Singer Island with her beloved mom and dear sister, Nancy (Pribila). The one thing all of these trips had in common was her penchant for extreme overpacking.

On weekends back in the day, you could hear Fran blasting her Mac Davis, Kenny Rodgers, and George Harrison records, among others, and singing along. She’d say her one chance to become a musician was ruined when her father shooed a door-to-door guitar salesman away from their house! In the evenings, she loved a scary movie, a good comedy series, or a fun talk show, while having a sweet treat.

Francene’s potato and ambrosia salads were always hits at every party, and she was a wonderful hostess of fun-filled gatherings year-round. She was known for her generosity, especially during the holidays, not only to family and friends, but also to people in her everyday world - gas station attendants, bank tellers and, of course, all the ladies and gents who worked at the beauty parlor.

For many decades, she enjoyed the blessing of a large circle of friends and family with whom she often laughed until there were tears in her eyes. As her world became smaller, as often happens with age, she’d recall those memories with gratitude and love.

In addition to her children and her sister, Francene is survived by her brother, Joseph; cherished grandchildren, Silvana and Anthony Paradiso; in-laws, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Francene will be held Monday, October 21, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at KROWICKI MCCRACKEN FUNERAL HOME, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden, NJ 07036.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a funeral on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 9:00 am from the funeral home. Funeral mass St. Hedwig RC Church, Elizabeth 10:00 am. Interment Mount Calvary Cemetery, Linden.