Maurine Alder Fronckowiak Obituary (1936

Maurine Alder Fronckowiak passed away peacefully, July 11, 2024, at the age of 88. Her family was able to be with her to lovingly say goodbye for now. She made her grand entrance into this world June 22, 1936, to the delight of her parents, Donald Benson Alder and Elsie (Loveland) Alder of Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended Lowell Elementary, Irving Jr High, and East High School in Salt Lake City. She married Richard Sorensen Shepherd Sr and had two children, Richard Sorensen Shepherd Jr, and Christine. They later divorced. Eventually she found her way East with both children, first in New York City, then Boston, and finally Buffalo, NY, working for MONY life insurance Co. It was there she fell madly in love with John Robert Fronckowiak and the two were married November 27, 1972. Two more children were born, Barbra Lyn and John Donald. She also adopted John’s son, Mark and loved him as her own. She remained in Buffalo for over 40 years and considered it home. John passed in 1986. She never remarried. There was a special friend that became an adopted part of the family not very long after John passed. Bill Shomers was a new widower and Maurine and Bill formed a close friendship that lasted throughout the remaining years of Bill’s life. She and the family loved him greatly. After John died, she obtained her insurance license and worked for The Emerling Agency. She had many clients and enjoyed serving them. She was able to retire with fanfare, which she loved. She was very proud of the work she did there and kept her name plate on her dresser along with her award clock from retirement. Mom loved playing Bridge, playing tennis, attending the philharmonic, playing tennis, theater, and playing tennis. She has given us specific instructions to bury her with her tennis racket. She was a very active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served faithfully in many callings over the years including relief society president, employment specialist, and most recently, choir director which she absolutely loved. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Fronckowiak and her daughter, Christine Van Ry. She will be greatly missed by her sisters, Adrienne Thomas of Lehi, UT; Carolyn Whitney of Rupert, ID; Rosalyn Dalebout of Holladay, UT; brother Matt (Linda) Alder of Sandy, UT; children Richard (Nancy) Shepherd of Vilcambamba, Ecuador; Mark Fronckowiak of Buffalo, NY; Barbra (John) Summerhill of Idaho Falls, ID; and John Donald (Heather) Fronckowiak of Lehi, UT; 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and 1 great great-grandson. The family would like to thank the staff at Spring Gardens Lindon for their exceptional love and care for Mom the past year. She loved her home there and felt safe, welcome and loved. Our deepest gratitude also to Serenity Hospice for the tender care given to her during the past two months. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at the Windsor 7th Ward Chapel, 1405 North Main Street, Orem, Utah. The family will receive friends at the Berg Mortuary of Orem, 500 North State Street, Tuesday, July 16, from 6-8:00 p.m. and at the church Wednesday, from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Luncheon to follow services. Interment at the Memorial Mt View Cemetery, 3115 Bengal Blvd, Cottonwood Heights. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com. Those unable to attend may view the services live: https://zoom.us/j/92314091568?pwd=sFKT6IPv1ZVGTLigjAbBRgNwFwOKFE.1