Obituary of Frances M. Ziemer

ZIEMER, Frances M. (Romatowski), passed away peacefully on January 19, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Norman J. Ziemer, dear mother of Norman Jr. (Deborah) Ziemer, James (Katheleen) Ziemer, Robert (Lisa Grollman) Ziemer, Mary Pat (Tom) Lawson, Joanne (Chuck) Riso and the late John R. and Barbara (Robert) Avery; loving grandmother of 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Fran grew up on the east side of Buffalo, attended St. Stanislaus grade school, Holy Angels Academy, and D’Youville College. She received a Masters in Education at Canisius College after beginning her second career teaching typing and office practice at Mount Mercy Academy for 23 years. She continued as a substitute teacher well into her retirement. Fran and Norm were a true team for over 60 years, lovingly devoted to each other and their ever-expanding family and circle of friends. Fran loved to entertain and socialize, warmly welcoming people into her home and life. Always interested in others, she was eager to talk, listen, and offer advice (when asked) and her kindness was recognized by all who knew her. Fran spent her summers since childhood at a family cottage in Angola on the Lake, where she formed some of her fondest memories and longest friendships. She enjoyed walking on the beach searching for beach glass and “lucky stones”. All her children and grandchildren were trained in the art of beachcombing. She was a lifelong learner who enjoyed travel, golf, reading, crosswords, sudoku and bridge. She planned annual family trips that ranged from Canada to Key West. With her husband Norm she traveled to Bermuda and Europe, including Poland, Italy and Germany for the Oberammergau passion play. Fran was an excellent cook and baker, who kept her family well-fed and knew how to entertain a crowd. Her placek was legendary. She was also a creative seamstress and knitter, making quilts with Barb and knitting blankets for the great-grandchildren, one just recently completed and another in progress. She was a sports fan and especially enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s games. She never missed an Army-Navy game since attending in person with her sisters in 1946. Her Josh Allen jersey is a testament to her loyalty to the Buffalo Bills. Fran, Mom, Aunt Fran, Grandma, Babcia, and Great-Grandma, was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all. Friends and family may call on Friday from 3-7:00 PM, at the JAMES W. CANNAN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3155 Orchard Park Road in Orchard Park NY. A mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10 AM at St. Mary of the Lake Church, 4737 Lake Shore Road in Hamburg (please assemble at church). In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mount Mercy Academy, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Alzheimer’s Association or the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation https://carcinoid.kindful.com. ZIEMER, Frances M. (Romatowski), Passed away peacefully on January 19, 2024, Beloved wife of the late Norman J. Ziemer, dear mother of Norman Jr. (Deborah) Ziemer, James (Katheleen) Ziemer, Robert (Lisa Grollman) Ziemer, Mary Pat (Tom) Lawson, Joanne (Chuck) Riso and the late John R. and Barbara (Robert) Avery; loving grandmother of 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Friends and family may call on Friday from 3-7:00pm at the JAMES W. CANNAN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3155 Orchard Park Road in Orchard Park, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10:00AM at St. Mary of the Lake Church, 4737 Lake Shore Road in Hamburg (please assemble at church). In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Mount Mercy Academy and or the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Online condolences and additional obit at www.CANNANFH.com