Frances M. Padykula

Frances Mary Padykula (nee Cicela), devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

On Sunday, September 17, 2023, Frances Padykula passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Paterson, NJ. She was 93. Frances was born on October 12, 1929 in Pittsburgh, PA to Henry Cicela and Mary (nee: Burek). She later moved to New York City to live with her mother’s sister, Aunt Betty, and her Uncle Frank Mudryk. Here she worked at Philip Morris and Hartz Mountain where she moved her way up to an office administrative position.

Frances married Joseph Padykula on August 17, 1957 and moved to their home in Fairfield, NJ. Together they had their three children, James, David, and Jane, to whom she was a devoted, gentle, and loving mom. Her greatest joys included her Polish heritage, especially dancing to Polka music, family genealogy, her family’s many pets, garage saling, and cross-country camping road trips with her family.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, Joseph Stanley Padykula. She is survived by her son James and his partner Beth Priday of Bloomingdale, NJ; son David and his wife Wendy of Hewitt, NJ and their children Elizabeth Reihl and Rebecca and their granddaughter Maeve Reihl (Frances’s great-granddaughter); daughter Jane and her husband Mark Ellis of Rockaway, NJ and their children Katherine, Scott, and Carolyn.

Frances was a prayerful woman who will be remembered for her kind soul, generosity, and fierce love for her family. She will be greatly missed.

Coordinated by Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, Fairfield, NJ. Viewing from 9 am to 11 am and Mass at St. Thomas More Church in Fairfield, NJ at 11:30 am on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to: The Salvation Army, 443 Chestnut Street, Kearny NJ 07032 OR Rosemarie's Rescue Ranch, PO box 194, Verona NJ 07044 OR North Jersey Community Animal Shelter, 23 Brandt Lane, Bloomingdale NJ 07403.