Obituary of Frances Leckrone

Frances K. Leckrone (nee Bacalis) Age 88. Thursday, January 3, 2008, at Joliet Area Community Hospice. Born in Joliet, IL and a lifelong resident. Devoted wife and godmother to 20 godchildren. Frances was a member of the United States Navy Nursing Corp during World War II, serving at several naval hospitals and at Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Following the war, she served at the Episcopal Eye Hospital in the District of Columbia as a surgical nurse. Frances next worked for the American Red Cross of Texas where she taught health education to immigrants and established the first health education program in high schools in Corpus Christi. In 1952 she returned to the Joliet area and began a lifelong affiliation with Saint Joseph School of Nursing where she served as Chairperson of the Maternal Child Education Program and as a Nurse Educator and Administrator until her retirement. Her professional and community activities included serving on the Illinois Governor's Committee for Legislation on Abused Children, and as a board member for United Way of Will County, Joliet Area Community Hospice, and the Senior Services Center of Will County where she served from 1986 until her death. Frances was also a 12- year member of the Lewis University Board of Trustees serving on Development, Curriculum, and Student committees. Recipient of the Honorable Mention Congressional Citizen award, the Senior Services Center Shining Star award, and inducted into the Joliet-Will County Project Pride Hall of Fame. Frances was educated at St. Francis Academy in Joliet, studied two years at Northwestern University where she joined Kappa Delta Sorority, graduated from the Saint Joseph School of Nursing, received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from DePaul University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University. Member of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church and the Daughters of Penelope. Survived by her husband Robert and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her father Nicholas Xenariou Bacalis, mother Katherine and stepfather Sam Pappas. Funeral Services will be Monday, January 7, 2008 at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, 102 North Broadway, Joliet, at 10:00 a.m. Father Stephen Bithos officiating. Interment with full military honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Memorial donations can be made to All Saints Greek Orthodox Church or Joliet Area Community Hospice. Visitation Sunday 2-9 p.m. with Trisagion Service at 7:00 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500