Frances J. Koszela, affectionately known as "Nana," formerly of New Castle, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the age of 90, at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph in Baden, Pennsylvania.

Born on August 2, 1935, in New Castle, Frances was the youngest of ten children born to the late George and Mary (Zombeck) Plonka. On February 27, 1960, she married the love of her life, Raymond J. Koszela. They shared 27 years of marriage until his passing on February 13, 1987. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers: Frank, Joseph, Louis, and Stanley Plonka; and five sisters: Clara Kurtz, Helen Keil, Leona Jendrysik, Stella Mielcusny, and Bertha Iwanejko

A devoted and faith-filled woman, Frances was a lifelong member of Madonna Church, now Holy Spirit Parish of New Castle – St. Mary's Church, where she was active in the Ladies Guild and generously gave her time to countless fundraising events.

Frances was happiest when she was in the kitchen: whether preparing for Memorial Day family picnics on the patio, serving Thanksgiving dinner with not one but two turkeys, cooking traditional Christmas Wigilia meals, or making her famous cabbage and noodles for the Madonna Easter Fest. Her culinary love and Polish heritage were at the heart of many family memories.

She took great pride in her work, often recalling with fondness her very first job picking beans. Frances later enjoyed a long career at A&P Supermarket and concluded her professional life at First Federal Savings & Loan, retiring in 1997.

Retirement brought her greatest joy - becoming Nana full-time. She moved to Hopewell, Pennsylvania, to care for her beloved granddaughters, Sarah and Leah. Whether waiting at the bus stop, driving to band camp, or cheering on high school tennis matches, Nana was in her element.

Frances is survived by her devoted daughter, Susan (Ken) McMullen of Center Township; two cherished granddaughters, Sarah (Dan) Lough of Aurora, OH, and Leah McMullen of Broadview Heights, OH; and her greatest joy, great-granddaughter Audrey Lough. Also surviving are two sisters-in-law, Mary Koszela and Olga Koszela, along with many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather to honor Frances's life from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 111 W. Falls Street, New Castle, Pennsylvania. A funeral service will immediately follow at noon in the funeral home.

Interment will follow in Madonna Cemetery, Union Township.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Concordia at Villa St. Joseph and Good Samaritan Hospice for their loving care and support while Frances was in their care.

Frances will be remembered for her faith, tireless devotion to family, and the warmth she brought to every gathering — especially through her food, her stories, and her unwavering love as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.