Frances A. "Fran" Doerschner

Doerschner, Frances “Fran”  A.,

95, of Dormont, PA.  On Thursday, April 9.  She was born in August in Sardis, WV.  As a child she primarily lived in northern West Virginia, a number of years on a farm. She was a graduate of Masontown, WV high school.  Fran earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Library Science from West Virginia University.  Afterwards, she worked as a school librarian and English teacher in West Virginia. Fran then took a position with the West Virginia Library Commission in the 1940s to provide books to libraries throughout the state of West Virginia. In 1946, she moved “over the border” as she would say, to Pennsylvania, after the death of her mother, to earn a Masters Degree in Library Science from the Carnegie Institute of Technology. Fran worked part-time as a reference clerk at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland for living expenses and to pay for her graduate degree. There she met her husband, Bob, who was doing research for a college paper, while attending Pitt on the post-World War II GI bill. Fran later worked as a school librarian at Prospect Junior High School on Mt. Washington. Fran and Bob were married in 1953, and lived one year in an apartment in Oakland before purchasing a home in Dormont where they resided for the next almost 62 years. As she says, she “retired” a few years later to raise their son, Rob. Fran was the president of the Dormont New Century Women’s Club for a number of years as well as an officer and was also a member of the Dormont College Club. She has been a member of Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church for 61 years and participated in church circles with the congregation. Fran volunteered as librarian of the St. Bernard’s Grade School Library while her son attended the school in the 1960s.  As a librarian, she was an avid reader all her life. As she said, she liked everything from trash to treasures. She transitioned to talking books a few years ago when her eyesight failed and thereby continued her passion for reading and gaining more knowledge. Friends and family remember her for her sense of humor and wit, zest for life and adventure, strong interest in people and their lives, commitment to extended family, and extreme caring and loving nature. She always wanted a hug from everyone she encountered.  Everyone will miss her hugs.  Beloved wife for  nearly 62 years of Bob who is the former principal of Jay Neff Middle School and the Manilla and Aiken Schools in the Keystone Oaks School District and a member of St. Bernard’s Church, Mt. Lebanon. Loving Mother of  Rob of Alexandria, VA; sister of the late  Mary Weis (Sam) sister in law of  Don (Bernigene) Doerschner of Belleview, PA and  the late Norman.  Aunt of  Christy Matheny (Mark) of Morgantown, WV; Nancy Dunn (Bob) of Fairmont, WV;  Ed Doerschner of Mars, PA;  Conni Wilson (Lloyd) of Ross Township;  Nancy Haupt (Dave) of Dover, DE; also survived by a number of great nieces and nephews as well as great-great nieces, nephews and  many cousins who live across the United States that have kept in touch with her. Daughter of the late Lando and Bess;  Friends will be welcomed at Laughlin Memorial Chapel 222 Washington Road, Mount Lebanon SUNDAY 2-4 & 6-8 PM Funeral service will be held at Mount Lebanon United Methodist Church Monday morning at 11 o’clock. (Everyone Please Meet at Church). Entombment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mount Lebanon United Methodist Church 3319 West Liberty Avenue, Pgh. PA 15216.

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