MOORE FRANCES LOUISE Passed away surrounded by her family on October 19, 2018 at Highline Medical Center in Burien, Washington. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in September 1942 to Charles Francis Moore and Carmella Scolieri Moore. She grew up in an Irish-Italian family in the Sheraden neighborhood and was always known as a fun, carefree girl whom everyone wanted to be around. Frances graduated from Langley High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1960. Shortly thereafter, she impulsively joined the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill and spent the next four years in a convent preparing to be a Catholic nun. Prior to making her final vows, she made the decision to leave the convent and return home. Soon thereafter, she was married and pregnant with her first child. A year later, she moved to California where she proceeded to have three more children. Years later, she returned to school and in 1998 earned her Associate of Arts Degree from Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California, graduating simultaneously with her youngest daughter. Frances had an entrepreneurial spirit and was never afraid to try something new. Over the course of her life, she was a novice nun, a teacher, a restaurant manager, an Avon lady, and a retirement home administrator. She worked with the mentally challenged, troubled teens, the elderly, and students with special needs. She owned a cleaning business and a consignment store, and once successfully renovated a condemned Victorian house. Most importantly, she was a beloved and adored mother, grandmother, sister and daughter. She is survived by her children, Jacqueline (Darrell) Smith, Deborah (David) Reinhart, Charles Leeds, and Cathryn Leeds; her grandchildren, Cassandra (Bryant) Smith, Brandon Smith, Elisabeth Smith, Alexandra Furrow, Nicholas Furrow, Dominick Leeds, and Charly Leeds; great-grandson Ezekiel Forsythe; and her siblings, Josephine (Peter) Rudar, Antoinette (Steve) Heckman, Deborah (William) Harrison, and Dennis (Faith) Moore. Her parents, Charles and Carmella Moore; as well as her sister, Carmella Hewlett, preceded her in death. Frances was the sunflower that always focused on the light. She took pleasure in the small things, garnering happiness from simple things like her family enjoying a meal she prepared. She was incredibly giving and would do absolutely anything for the people she loved. She didn't own much because her generosity compelled her to give it all away. Her departure has left a hole and she will be dearly missed. A memorial service and scattering of her ashes will be held in Morro Bay, California on January 19, 2019. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
