Frances Marie Raynor

She was born in Dunkirk, NY, and was a member of the Dunkirk High School Class of 1961. Fran was a person of many talents, resulting in her having various jobs throughout her lifetime, although she particularly enjoyed her work as the co-owner of a Southern California jewelry store, as she had a penchant for fine jewels. Her worldwide travels, of which she spoke of with great fondness, took her to many foreign destinations, including Spain, Greece and Russia.

Fran enjoyed cooking, especially Italian food, and especially when she could share it with family and friends. She truly valued spending time and keeping in touch with family, and particularly cherished time spent with her grandchildren.

As a resident of a large apartment complex, Fran served as a volunteer activity director, organized entertainment (BINGO!) and community dinners for residents, and started the publication of a monthly newsletter. In her later years, she became an avid Scrabble player, cruciverbalist, dissectologist, and the loving wife of Richard “Mike” Raynor.

While Fran faced a number of challenges over her lifetime, she did so with strength and perseverance and, in the end, was the most content she had ever been.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Archangel (Capitano) Messina of Dunkirk, her sister, Mary Ann Hagaman of Jacksonville, FL, and her brother, Samuel (Carolee) Messina, of Niagara Falls, NY.

She is survived by her husband, Richard “Mike” Raynor of Fredonia, her former spouse, David Symans of Dunkirk, and their children, Julie (Gary) Jeleniewski of Grayslake, IL, Michael (Sarah) Symans of Clifton Park, NY, and Brenda Symans of Dunkirk. In addition, she is survived by nine grandchildren (Grace, Noah, Jonah, and Jane Jeleniewski; Megan, Emily and Andrew Symans; Tannen Olson and Michelle Borrello), three great-grandchildren (Matteo, Dontae and Giovanni Chimera), two nieces (Angela (Marcello) Quaranta and Kimberly (Michael) Kuster), two nephews (Kevin Lindquist and Michael (Michele) Messina), as well as several great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

A memorial Mass will be held for Frances on Saturday, September 30, at 11:00 am at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Dunkirk, NY, followed by interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Sheridan, NY. For those not able to attend in person, Frances’ memorial Mass will be live-streamed on her site on the the Larson-Timko Funeral Home website: larsontimko funeralhome.com.

Flowers or memorial donations to the church in honor of the memory of Frances are welcome and appreciated.

Online condolences may be offered at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler, Larson-Timko Funeral Home.