Frances McKenzie Peservich

WARWICKa�"PESERVICH, Frances McKenzie, 84, of Centerville Rd, died Saturday at Kent Hospital, after suffering complications of a stroke. Born on August 27, 1921 in Melbourne, Australia, she was the daughter of the late Elizabeth (O'Shea) and William Sim McKenzie. She was raised, and educated in Melbourne, and came to the US as a war bride in January, 1946. As an accomplished knitter and crocheter, she produced many balaclavas for the Australian troops during World War II. She will be remembered as a loving woman who celebrated motherhood. She was the beloved wife of the late Joseph V. Peservich (Commander, US Naval Reserves). She met her husband, a survivor of Pearl Harbor, while he was on active duty as a US Navy Lieutenant in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In the US, she lived first in Middletown, CT, before moving to Warwick in 1966 and participating in the family business, the former Oaklawn Nurseries, in that city. A dedicated homemaker, she spent hours at Laurel Brook Farm, her home in Middletown, CT, gardening, sewing, cooking, and canning, and was a participant in many 4-H Club and Brownie Scout activities. In Warwick, she continued her interests in gardening, nature, and nutrition, while caring for her children and grandchildren. She was a communicant of St. Catherine's Church and a member of the North Kingstown Senior Center.She was the devoted mother of Jonathan Peservich of Coral Springs, FL, and Round Rock, TX; Frances Cripps of East Providence; and Jennifer Munroe of Coventry. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Jaime and Jason Peservich and Jill and Max Munroe and four great-grandchildren; her nephew, Gregory J. Peservich, nieces Maria P. Rollin and Alison Peservich, and their children; her sister Lola Jack, of Melbourne, and her sister-in-law, Alda L. Peservich, of North Kingstown. She was the sister of the late Isabelle Chirgwin, Anna Connelly, and Elizabeth McKenzie. Her funeral will be Wednesday at 9:30am from the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Road, Warwick. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am in St. Catherine Church 3252 Post Road, Apponaug. Burial will be in R.I. Veterans Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday 4-8pm. In lieu of flowers donations to the Ronald McDonald House, 45 Gay Street, Providence, RI 02905 in her memory will be appreciated.