Frances De Rosa passed away peacefully at her home on the 22nd of January 2024 with her family by her side. Her wish was to go home to God. Frances was born October 3, 1935, to John and Antonia Pochmursky in New York City. She was of Ukrainian descent. After attending grammar school, she attended Ukrainian school to learn to read and write Ukrainian taught by the Nuns. She graduated from Jamaica High School in Jamaica, New York. She worked for Western Electric Co. in New York City, New York.
She met her future husband at a Halloween party, and they married on June 20, 1954, at Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church in New York City, New York. They moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, and had four children born at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital. The four children are John De Rosa III of Ridgecrest, CA; Joseph De Rosa of Bakersfield, CA; Catherine Mattox of Ridgecrest, CA; and Frances Pegler of Village of Lakewood, Illinois. Later on, she and her family moved to Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, and she started her career working at the Stanhope Post Office.
In 1972, she and her family moved to China Lake, CA, to work for the Naval Weapons Center, where she then worked until her retirement from the base. She belonged to the Desert Ceramic Club on the base in the 1970s, where she quickly took on the role of Slip Chairman for several years. She belonged to the Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society Club, where she was an avid Rock Hound. She enjoyed attending field trips and Gem & Mineral shows, collecting gem-quality materials, making jewelry, and wire wrapping. She became treasurer of the club for many years until her passing.
She attended Cerro Coso Community College and received her two-year degree. She then went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University of Bakersfield, graduating with honors in June 1998.
She loved to travel with her family on many road trips and cruises: Niagara Falls, Alaska, Italy, China, Russia, Iceland (where she bathed in the Thermal Baths at the Blue Lagoon), Ukraine, Croatia, Sardinia, Calabria, Greece, Spain, Mexico, Hawaii, England, Canada, and the Panama Canal. Her hobbies included Tai Chi classes with her friends, crocheting, sewing, rock hounding, baking, ceramics, Bingo, going to the movies, and challenging family members to a good game of Dominoes.
She was a very caring and giving person. She always donated to many charities in need and participated in the Relay for Life cancer walk every year. She is greatly loved, will be forever missed, and will be forever in our hearts.
Frances is survived by her loving husband, John J. De Rosa Jr., of 69 years; John De Rosa III, son; Catherine (De Rosa) Mattox, daughter; Frances (De Rosa) Pegler, daughter; Judith De Rosa, Sister-in-Law; Paul Predoehl, nephew; and Robert Pegler, son-in-law.
Frances was preceded in death by her son, Joseph John De Rosa; mother, Antonio Pochmursky; father, John Pochmursky; brother-in-law, Vernon Predoehl; and son-in-law, Jerry Mattox.
There will be two viewings at Holland & Lyons Mortuary on Thursday, 8th Feb, from 4-7 pm, and Friday, 9th of February, Rosary at 5 pm, viewing from 5:30- 8 pm. The funeral service will be held at St. Ann Catholic Church on Saturday, the 10th of February, at 10:00 am. Following the funeral, there will be a graveside service at the Desert Memorial Park, Ridgecrest. There will be a reception following the graveside service at St Ann Hall.