MARY EUNICE FRANCIS – Obituary
Mary Eunice Francis (nee Harrell) of Elk Township passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. Age 85. Wife of the late Thomas Francis. Mother of Catherine Castle. Grandmother of Tommy Castle, Jr. (Alyssa Artuz). Daughter of the late, Council and Catherine (nee Bregler) Harrell. Sister of Nancy Moore (nee Herrell), the late Council Harrell, Jr., and the late Helen Johnson (nee Harrell). Mother-in-law of Tom Castle.
Born at her home in Monroeville, NJ, she was 7 years old when her family moved to a vegetable farm in Hardingville. She later lived in Elmer for 10 years before moving to Elk Township, where she resided for the past 55 years. When Mary was younger she enjoyed working on the farm and doing different chores. Mary was a graduate of Glassboro High School. Throughout her life, she had worked a few different jobs including, Pole Tavern Diner, a Key Puncher Operator at Owen’s Illinois, and a Care Giver at Mater Dei Nursing Home located in Elmer.
Mary had always had a green thumb since a young age, allowing her to be an avid gardener and find a love for landscaping her property. As children, Mary and Nancy used to go behind the barn to manage what was planted during the season, which often led to Mary lying in the sun and soaking it up. Mary loved to cook, going out to eat, and spending quality time with family and friends. She was often described as a social butterfly and would host any holiday family gathering. In high school, she was a clarinet player and took part in the marching band for all four years. She loved to go out dancing, roller skating, and to the Elk Township Citizen meetings and luncheons. With her Senior Citizen group, Mary had taken trips to the casinos where she would play the nickel slots.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Monday, March 11, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ 08312 with a funeral service beginning at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at Saint Bridget RC Cemetery, 125 Church Street, Glassboro, NJ 08028. Sign the guestbook at BarclayFuneralHome.net.