Francine Lemont

Francine Skibinski was born on July 14, 1941 in Hamtramck, MI. Her grandparents emigrated from Poland in the 1920s. She lived in Hamtramck, MI until the 8th grade in a two-bedroom unit on the second floor of a duplex. Her grandparents lived downstairs on the first floor while she attended Our Lady Queen of Apostles Catholic Grade School. In 8th grade her family moved to a three-bedroom house in Detroit. From there, she took the bus to St. Ladislaus Catholic High School in Detroit where she graduated at age 16. She attended the University of Detroit where she earned a degree in Medical Technology. While attending U of D, she joined the Delta Zeta Sorority through which she met her husband-to-be Charles (“Chuck”) Lemont on a blind date set up by another sorority member. It was her first blind date, and she absolutely adored him from the start. Francine & Chuck were married in 1962, living together first in Fairborn, Ohio, and later in Albuquerque, New Mexico while Chuck was in the Air Force before finally settling in Shelby Township, MI in 1969, where they resided until her passing. Together they raised four children (Chuck/Kenda Lemont, Chris Lemont, Laura/Mike Hester and Dean/Jenifer Lemont) and also selflessly fostered – and in one case adopted – two severely disabled special-needs daughters (Becky and Jeanette) from the Michigan foster system, offering all their children a home filled with love. They have five grandchildren (Matt/Liz Hester, Pamela/Tim Holtz, Julia/Adam Milton, Luke Lemont and Lauren Lemont) and three great grandchildren (Aiden Hester, Abby Holtz and Teddy Holtz). Despite her education and training, Francine chose the vocation of a full-time mother – her children and family were the primary focus of her life. She was also deeply connected to generations who came before her, often relaying family histories while paging through photo albums. She was a wonderful cook, making delicious home-cooked meals on a regular basis. Francine was proud of her Polish heritage and was quick to correct a mispronunciation of Polish delicacies such as pierogi, chrusciki and galumpki. She enjoyed collecting antiques and reading, and she absolutely loved Christmas, quietly honoring holiday traditions throughout the year. She was a big fan of James Dean, the classic films Casablanca and Gone with the Wind and she loved to polka dance with her husband Chuck. Francine was very active with the local Catholic Church, helping to make beautiful, enormous, hand-crafted banners for the sanctuary of St. Lawrence Parish in Utica, MI as well as unfailingly attending mass with her church community. Francine was the epitome of selflessness, always putting others’ needs ahead of her own. In addition to managing a bustling household, she and Chuck cared for each of her elderly parents when they were stricken with Alzheimer’s/dementia. Francine also helped care for her aging Aunt Henrietta (Henia) Dzikoski the last several years of Henia’s life. She was always there for her family. Francine passed away as a result of vascular dementia on October 27, 2018. She was preceded in death by her brother Tom (Skibinski) West and her parents Zygmund and Jean Skibinski. She will be dearly missed.

Francine Lemont

July 14, 1941 - October 27, 2018