Helen I. Francia, 84, of Monessen, died Thursday, April 22, 2010 in Monongahela Valley Hospital Inc.She was born in Donora on March 7, 1926, the daughter of the late Martin and Ursula (Pernar) Karavanich. She was a life long resident of Monessen, and a member of Epiphany of Our Lord R. C. Church. Years ago, she was active with the Count Calories Carefully (CCC) group that met at the Mon Valley Community Health Center, and she enjoyed bowling. She is survived by her daughter, Lorraine King of Monessen, a son and daughter-in-law, Vincent M. and Maria Francia of Walkersville, MD, a sister, Phyliss Swaner of New Stanton, three grandsons, Donald King, Dominic and Anthony Francia, and by numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents, She was preceded in death by her husband Vincent R. Francia, four brothers, Martin, Gregory, Peter, and Frank Karavanich, and by three sisters, Margaret Bugalli, Ursula Stewart, and Mary Stewart.Friends will be received on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm in the Dalfonso-Billick Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services, 441 Reed Avenue Monessen, (724-684-8750).Services will be held on Monday, April 26, 2010, at 11:00 am in the funeral home, with Fr. David J. Nazimek officiating. Entombment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials in the name of Vincent and Helen I. Francia, be made to: Scleroderma Foundation, 7 South BioMedical Science Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15216.Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
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