Frances Elizabeth Wilhelm Christianson left this earth peacefully on Saturday, May 21, 2016, surrounded by loving family at her home in Trumansburg, NY.

Frances was born on May 30, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY to Michael and Stella Tubito Wilhelm. She was the second of their four children. After attending St. Brendon’s High School in Brooklyn, she worked as a switchboard operator in New York City for four years at AT&T and Helbros Watch Company. In 1954, on a summer vacation in the Pocono Mountains, she met her future husband, Kenneth Christianson, at a dance hall known as the Cuckoo’s Nest. They were married in Virginia where Ken was serving in the military on October 4, 1957, the first day of the Space Age when Sputnik was launched.

Once married, her family quickly grew, with five children in seven years. After 21 years of raising her five children and living in five different states, Frances returned to work as a receptionist at Anchor Fasteners in Waterbury, CT, where she was a valued employee for ten years. In 1989 she and Ken returned to Trumansburg, NY, and she worked again as a receptionist for Ironics, Pathlight Technologies, and ADIC in Ithaca. She retired in 2004 and spent several years in Northport, FL before moving back to Trumansburg in 2013 to be closer to her family. Most recently she spent her time cooking for loved ones and volunteering for Catholic Charities in Ithaca.

Frances is predeceased by her husband, Kenneth Christianson; her sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Donald Anderson of Mt. Laurel, NJ; and her brother, Michael Lawrence Wilhelm of Jacksonville, FL. She is survived by her younger brother, Joseph Wilhelm of Atco, NJ; along with her five children (and spouses) Kenneth Jr. (Caryn), Karen (John Rapone), Thomas, Laurie (Gregory Scigliano) and James (Debbie); thirteen grandchildren Jennifer (Ron Dodson), Kyle Murphy, Timothy Murphy, Kenneth III, Cord Legg, Madison, Phylicia, David Gumble, Carley Rapone, James, John Rapone, Tyler, and Crystal, and one great grandson, Ryan Dodson.

Frances dedicated her life to her family, and she cherished the time spent with them. She had a wonderful sense of adventure and a wry sense of humor. She enjoyed dancing classes, the beach, hiking, and tubing down the Lackawaxen River. She loved to cook for her family and her food, as well as her smile, will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have enjoyed them.

A celebration of her life was held on Monday, May 30, 2016 (her 82d birthday) at Bethel Lutheran Church, Rowland, PA 18457. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospicare of Ithaca, Catholic Charities, or your favorite charity.