Frances Blanche Malin

Frances was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Nicholas and Bernice Zawila. She was a graduate of GAR Memorial High School and later attended NOVA Community College in Virginia. After high school, Frances passed the Program Head Secretarial Civil Service examination and began a distinguished career of more than 33 years with the Federal Government. Her career included service with the U.S. Marine Corps, Social Security, the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan, Naval Communications Command, and the Defense Communications Agency at the Pentagon and Arlington headquarters, where she served for 20 years.

Fran was deeply devoted to her faith and community. She served as a Eucharistic Minister and Assistant Treasurer at Saint Anthony Church and helped organize weekly Masses at Manor Care Nursing Home. She was a member of the Bailey’s Crossroads Lions Club and received the Melvin Jones Fellows Award. She also served as First Vice President of the Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary Post 1791.

Fran will be remembered for her generous heart, strong faith, quick wit, and loving spirit. She loved opening her home to family and friends for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, and no one ever left her table hungry or empty-handed. She was always ready to help others and was affectionately referred to by many as “a saint.” Above all, Fran treasured her family and the time they shared together.

Fran was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles “Tex” Malin; her brothers, Theodore and Joseph Zawila; and her sisters, Teresa Wielga and Irene Papka.

She is survived by her three children, Patricia Federinko (Francis) of Virginia, Theresa Malin of Saint Petersburg, Florida, and Mark Malin (Mary “Mimi”) of Charles Town, West Virginia; granddaughters Nicole Legum and Madison Malin; grandsons Frankie Federinko, Jr. and Nicholas Malin; great-grandchildren Ashton and Andersen Legum; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and friends.

Fran leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, generosity, and laughter. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 24th, 2026, at 10:30 am at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 3305 Glenn Carlyn Rd, Fall Church, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CHKD Children’s Hospital of King’s Daughters, 601 Children’s Lane, Norfolk, VA 23507 https://secure.qgiv.com/for/chkd or Bailey’s Crossroads Host Lions Club, P.O. Box 1082, Bailey’s Crossroads, VA 22041.