Mary Kathryn Franchebois of Pittsfield, MA, inseparable from her beloved husband of 69 years John R. Franchebois, and a role model of kindness and spirituality for her daughter Jean Calculator, Dover, NH (and husband Stephen Calculator) and son, John ("Jack") W. Franchebois (and wife Linda Franchebois), of Canaan, NY, died the morning of January 16th in the same way she lived her life of 95 years, peacefully and in the presence of her loved ones. She is survived by her husband John, children Jean and Jack, grandchildren Aimee Munday, Cherie Murach, Lauren Haley, Kaitlin Calculator, Bryant Calculator, and Trevor Calculator, and great grandchildren Alexander, Lucas, Abby, Callan, Rynn, Riley, and Grayson. Kathryn, who lived all but her final years in Pittsfield, was the daughter of Edward Hurley and Catherine Sultaire, also of Pittsfield. She was a graduate of Saint Joseph High School. Kathryn served in the shipping department at Eaton Paper and the Capacitor Department at General Electric before making her greatest contributions to all who knew her as a wife, mother, and dear friend. Kathryn was a quiet soul whose greatest contributions to her community were indirect. She was a woman to be emulated by others for her openness, gentleness, and forgiveness of others' shortcomings. More overtly, she was a reliable volunteer of 32 years to Notre Dame Bingo. Throughout her blessed life Kathryn was devoted to her church and family. She approached both with love and kindness. She was a perceptive person who to her final days was able to pick up and comment on others' positive qualities, such as a pretty face or a becoming outfit. She loved nature, particularly the serenity it offered in the birds, flowers, and trees she always admired. Kathryn had the gift of a smile that could always turn the corner on a bad day for others. Despite experiencing the challenges of Alzheimer's disease for two years, to the end she brightened the days of her family, as well as the staff at her second home, Watson Fields assisted living in Dover, NH. with her smile, keen observations, and wit. Even at her passing, others could comment only on the good in her, and the loss of something special in her passing. Kathryn will most certainly reserve a spot for her husband John in heaven, one by her side as always. They are one, past, present and future.

Funeral Notice:
Funeral services for Kathryn will be held Saturday, January 23, at 10:00 a.m., at DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield, with Rev. John C. Salatino, Pastor of St. Mark Church, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery. All family and friends are welcome.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials to her name may be made to fund research for a cure for Alzheimer's disease of the charity of one's choice.

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