Frances
Frances Ann (Assaf) Rork
d. June 15, 2022
Frances Ann (Assaf) Rork of Westwood, MA died peacefully, with family by her side, in her home of 70 years on June 15, 2022 at the graceful age of 107.
Frances was born, at home, in Boston in 1914; the sixth of ten children born to the late George and Saada (Chelala) Assaf. She graduated Boston Public Schools and earned a Certificate in Dress Design and Pattern Making from Massachusetts College of Art. She became an accomplished seamstress; while also working with her mother in her dry goods business until her marriage in 1940 to Charles Morgan Rork of Montana. They settled in their forever home in Westwood in 1952 where they happily raised their five children and where Frances, family and friends actively enjoyed her many later years. In 2018, at age 104, Frances was awarded the Boston Post Cane by the Town of Westwood as the oldest Westwood resident.
A person of great personal strength and faith, she also possessed many talents, skills and interests that made their house a home that was generously open to all family and friends throughout her lifetime. She led by example with a grateful heart and lived her faith in her selfless caregiving and volunteering. She was an early founding member of SNCARC, now Lifeworks, Inc. and was committed to helping those with disabilities. Her greatest joy was her life as a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Her very busy hands, love of reading and books, positive attitude, calm but fierce independence, and quiet daily prayer provided solace and sustained her throughout her 107 years. Her quick wit, easy laugh, sage advice, and her generous, kind spirit will be remembered by all who knew her.
Frances was the last survivor of her brothers and sisters: Sophie Nigam, Atty. Joseph, Fr. Peter, George, Rose Williams, Edward, Delia, John and Mary Welch.
She was also sadly predeceased by her beloved husband of 42 years, Charles M. (1982) and two of their children; their oldest, Frances Rork Eosco (1981) and their youngest, Michael C. Rork (1998).
To mourn her loss and celebrate her life are her remaining loving and proud children:
C. Stephen (Claire) of Plainville, Daniel R. (Ann) of Quincy and Judith A. of Westwood.
Also, her six dearly loved and loving grandchildren: Laura A. Wentworth of Walpole, Daniel J. Eosco of Bath, ME, Jonathan C. (Michelle) Rork of Portland, OR, Ariana C. (Randy) Grant of Plainville, Sean S. Rork of Plainville and Amanda M. (Shawn) Burke of Quincy.
Eight loving great-grandchildren: Jesica, Kiernan, Alden, Gavin, Teagan, Logan, Samantha and Nathan and her two great great grandchildren: Evelyn and Thomas!
Frances also leaves many dear nieces and nephews and their families in Boston, Detroit and Lebanon. And longtime neighbor and friend, Pat.
Funeral arrangements were held privately.
A Memorial Mass at St. Margaret Mary's in Westwood will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations in memory of Frances Rork to:
Lifeworks, Inc., 789 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA 02090.
(An affiliated chapter of The Arc)
Tel: 781-762-4001
www.lifeworksarc.org
Frances was born, at home, in Boston in 1914; the sixth of ten children born to the late George and Saada (Chelala) Assaf. She graduated Boston Public Schools and earned a Certificate in Dress Design and Pattern Making from Massachusetts College of Art. She became an accomplished seamstress; while also working with her mother in her dry goods business until her marriage in 1940 to Charles Morgan Rork of Montana. They settled in their forever home in Westwood in 1952 where they happily raised their five children and where Frances, family and friends actively enjoyed her many later years. In 2018, at age 104, Frances was awarded the Boston Post Cane by the Town of Westwood as the oldest Westwood resident.
A person of great personal strength and faith, she also possessed many talents, skills and interests that made their house a home that was generously open to all family and friends throughout her lifetime. She led by example with a grateful heart and lived her faith in her selfless caregiving and volunteering. She was an early founding member of SNCARC, now Lifeworks, Inc. and was committed to helping those with disabilities. Her greatest joy was her life as a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Her very busy hands, love of reading and books, positive attitude, calm but fierce independence, and quiet daily prayer provided solace and sustained her throughout her 107 years. Her quick wit, easy laugh, sage advice, and her generous, kind spirit will be remembered by all who knew her.
Frances was the last survivor of her brothers and sisters: Sophie Nigam, Atty. Joseph, Fr. Peter, George, Rose Williams, Edward, Delia, John and Mary Welch.
She was also sadly predeceased by her beloved husband of 42 years, Charles M. (1982) and two of their children; their oldest, Frances Rork Eosco (1981) and their youngest, Michael C. Rork (1998).
To mourn her loss and celebrate her life are her remaining loving and proud children:
C. Stephen (Claire) of Plainville, Daniel R. (Ann) of Quincy and Judith A. of Westwood.
Also, her six dearly loved and loving grandchildren: Laura A. Wentworth of Walpole, Daniel J. Eosco of Bath, ME, Jonathan C. (Michelle) Rork of Portland, OR, Ariana C. (Randy) Grant of Plainville, Sean S. Rork of Plainville and Amanda M. (Shawn) Burke of Quincy.
Eight loving great-grandchildren: Jesica, Kiernan, Alden, Gavin, Teagan, Logan, Samantha and Nathan and her two great great grandchildren: Evelyn and Thomas!
Frances also leaves many dear nieces and nephews and their families in Boston, Detroit and Lebanon. And longtime neighbor and friend, Pat.
Funeral arrangements were held privately.
A Memorial Mass at St. Margaret Mary's in Westwood will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations in memory of Frances Rork to:
Lifeworks, Inc., 789 Clapboardtree Street, Westwood, MA 02090.
(An affiliated chapter of The Arc)
Tel: 781-762-4001
www.lifeworksarc.org
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Ann (Assaf) Rork, please visit our flower store.
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