Frances K. Babcock, 93, of Wellsville, passed away on
Sunday, May 18, 2025, in her home. She was born December 10, 1931, in
Wellsville, the daughter of the late Matthew and Frances (Wilkosz) Kozlowski.
On December 26, 1951, in Wellsville, she married James W. Babcock who
predeceased her in 2006.
Fran was a life-long resident of Wellsville. She was a
graduate of Immaculate Conception School and the 1949 graduating class of
Wellsville High School. She was initially employed by the New York Telephone
Company; she later worked as the manager and cook in the ICS Cafeteria for 13
years. She enjoyed baking wedding cakes for many years, and catered dinners for
local events. She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, the ICC
Alter and Rosary Society, the Wellsville Mercy Associates and served as a
Eucharistic Minister. She was also active with the Boy Scouts.
Fran will be remembered for her active involvement with the
Immaculate Conception parish, including her many years with the IC Fun Fair.
Her family will remember her for her love of family and travel, her cooking and
all kinds of adventures including camping, hiking, and even white-water
rafting. Students of ICS still remember her for her famous Pizza Puffs from her
cafeteria days.
Fran is survived by: eight of her children, Mary (Michael)
Raven of Lakewood, CO, James (Gregory Brink) Babcock of Coudersport PA,
Kathleen Ueblacker of Wellsville, Stephen (Jan) Babcock of Flagstaff, AZ,
Michael Babcock of White Salmon, WA, Joseph Babcock of Glens Falls, NY, Nancy
(Gary) Hill of Canandaigua, NY, and Gerald (Shawna) Babcock of Willowick, OH;
her brother, George Kozlowski of Camillus, NY; 12 grandchildren, Beth Ann
Ueblacker, John Ueblacker, Linda Ueblacker, Shana Brown Thomas, Gavin Babcock,
Aurora Jeans, Matthew Hill, Sarah Hill, William Babcock, Nathan Babcock, Andie Babcock and Adam Babcock; 5 Great Grandchildren, Jillian Becker, Rosalia
Ueblacker, Zakary Ueblacker, Darrell Ueblacker, Gregory Ueblacker;
Sisters-in-law Frances Hamlin, and
Barbara Dunn; Brother-in-law, Daniel (Nancy) Babcock; and many close nieces,
nephew, and cousins.
In addition to her parents and husband of 55 years, she was
predeceased by: two daughters, Ann Babcock and Barbara Jo Babcock; sister Sophie
Britton; four brothers, William, Henry, Stanley, and John Kozlowski.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from
4 to 7 pm, at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home of Wellsville, 34 West State
Street. The rosary will be recited on Thursday, at 3:45 pm. A Mass of Christian
Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:00am, in the
Immaculate Conception Church of Wellsville, 6 Maple Avenue, with Father James
Hartwell as celebrant. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wellsville.
Please consider memorial donations to: The Mercy Associates, c/o Sylvia
LaChance, 38 North Highland Avenue, Wellsville, NY 14895; or to the Allegany
County Comfort House, 141 East State Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. To leave
online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
