Frances Marsala

Frances Marsala, 82, of Benton Harbor, died Monday, August 8, 2011 in Benton Harbor. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 12, 2011 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 555 E. Delaware, Benton Harbor, with Fr. William J. Jacobs, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may call today from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. with the Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Lake Michigan Catholic Schools or St. John-St. Bernard Parish. Those wishing to sign Frances' Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Frances was born April 29, 1929 in Benton Harbor to Bert & Genevieve (Zerolis) Heemskerk. She graduated from St. John's High School and attended Community College for one year in Benton Harbor. On October 18, 1952, she married Joseph A. Marsala at St. John's in Benton Harbor. Together they operated the family fruit farm on Pier Rd. in Benton Harbor. She was happiest when she was tending to her children, and later, her grandchildren. She was a member of St. John-St. Bernard Parish where she was formerly on the Parish Council, Altar Society, and served at the Soup Kitchen, and was President of the Lake Michigan Catholic School Board. Frances also formerly served as Hagar Township Treasurer, was a member of the Michigan Township Association, was active with Hagar Township Elections and on the board of various agricultural cooperatives including Knouss Foods. She loved flowers and flower gardening, having grown up on the family flower farm in Tennessee. Frances is survived by her husband of 58 years, Joseph; her children-Joseph (MaryBeth) Marsala of Manchester, MA, Anthony Marsala of Lansing, MI, Rita Marsala and husband David Ross of Okemos, MI; three grandchildren-Chloe Elizabeth Marsala, Peter Joseph Marsala, Natalie Grace Marsala Ross; and two sisters-Alberta (Jack) Miller of Pennsylvania and Genevieve Yaple of Manistee, MI. Frances was preceded in death by her parents. The family would like to acknowledge all the family and friends who made it possible for Frances to live her life in the home she loved, the way she wanted to, especially our beloved caregivers Darlene Sesson and niece, Linda Ray.