Frances Hohn

Frances (Fran) Hohn, 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Residence at Hilltop in Monongahela, Pennsylvania.

Fran was born on June 17, 1929 at Washington Hospital to Joseph and Helen Pigeon – the 2nd of 8 children. She graduated from Bentleyville High School in May of 1947 with dreams of becoming an English teacher. And while life took Fran down a completely different path, she spent nearly a century leading by example and teaching everyone around her some of the most important lessons imaginable. She possessed a wisdom that was far beyond her time, paired with a quick-witted sense of humor that kept everyone on their toes.

One of the most beautiful chapters of her life was shared with her late husband, Robert “Bob” Hohn, whom she first met when she was just nine years old. When Bob left to serve in World War II in 1943, he looked at Fran and promised he would come back for her and marry her. True to his word, the very day he returned from the war, he spotted Fran walking to the movies (one of her favorite activities) with her best friends in downtown Bentleyville and said, "I told you I'd come back for you.” The following year, in May of 1948, they were married. They went on to share nearly 70 beautiful years of marriage and brought three wonderful boys into the world whom she adored. Bob was entirely smitten with Fran until the day he passed (rightfully so, as he would tell you) and to those who love them, may you take comfort in knowing that Bob met her with a smile stretching from ear to ear, ecstatic that he and Fran are finally back together again.

The love she and Bob shared became the foundation of their family. Every Sunday at noon, you would find them with their door wide open, the house packed, and the table crowded waiting for some of her famous halupkis, meatloaf, or city chicken. Fran always had a way of bringing everyone together. Her home was a place of warmth, where everyone was welcomed, accepted, and loved exactly as they were.

Her sharp wit remained completely intact through the years, even well into her 90’s. The best example of this was when her family proudly broke the news that she was going to be a great-grandmother for the first time. Fran didn't miss a beat and with a smirk and a chuckle, she simply said, "I already am a great grandma." She was right, of course…in every sense of the word.

Fran has gone to reunite with her parents, Joseph and Helen Pigeon; her beloved husband, Bob; and her son, Kenny. She also joins her siblings, Diane Luketich, Joseph Pigeon Jr., Charles Pigeon, Walter Pigeon, Irene Gunderman, and Lucille Weis. Her beautiful spirit lives on in the family who loved her dearly: her sister, Evelyn Basil; her sons, Jeffrey (Lisa) and David Hohn; her grandchildren, Derek (Amanda), Michael (Ashley), and Maura Hohn; and the great-grandchildren who brought her so much joy, Karlo, Zora, William, and Theodore Hohn.

Do not cry for Fran or let your heart be filled with sorrow for she was brave, hilarious, fiercely independent, and, above all else, kind. She taught us that life is far too short to take it seriously, that laughter is one of life’s greatest gifts, and that a crowded table - filled with family, friends, good food, and even better stories - is one of life’s biggest blessings. In keeping with her wishes, there will be no formal service. If you would like to honor her memory, the greatest tribute you can give to her and her family is to carry these lessons forward. Laugh a little louder. Love your people a little harder. Pull up an extra chair to the dinner table whenever you can. Above all else, let her long, beautiful life be a testament to us all to leave the world a little bit better, a little funnier, and a little kinder than we found it. May God bless her sweet soul and all of those who loved her.

There will be no public visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday July 2, 2026 at St. Katharine Drexel Parish Bentleyville at 10:30am with Rev. Edward Yuhas officiating. Interment will follow at Beallsville Cemetery, Beallsville.