Obituary of Frances L. (Monson) Kolhonen

Frances L. (Monson) Kolhonen, 97, of Peabody, January 24, 2007, wife of the late Edwin Einar Kolhonen. Mrs. Kolhonen was born on May 17, 1909 in West Peabody, daughter of the late Olaf and Emma (Loman) Monson. She was raised in Peabody, graduated from Peabody High School Class of 1926 and was a lifelong resident of the city. Following her high school graduation, Mrs. Kolhonen was employed as a secretary for 15 years at the Peabody City Hall Electric Light Company, retiring in the early 1940’s to raise her family. Mrs. Kolhonen will always be remembered as warm, kind and loving person who would help anyone in their times of need. She dedicated her life to her family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a member of the Eastern Star Victory Chapter, the former West Peabody Grange and was a faithful attendant at the West Congregational Church in Peabody. She and her late husband traveled extensively throughout the world. As hobbies she enjoyed rug hooking and baking. She is survived by her children and a son-in-law, Joanne K. and Gene Howland of Wenham, Faye K. Kolhonen Kurnick of Winchester and Ross M. “Skip” Kolhonen of Salem; 4 grandchildren, Annika Kurnick of New York NY, Matthew Kurnick of San Francisco CA, Amanda Howland of Falmouth ME and Jonathan Howland of Boulder CO; 3 great grandchildren of Alexandra, Lauren and Annabel Huber of ME; a brother-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law, Elly Monson of Peabody, Bruno and Helen Kolhonen of Southport NC; many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grandnephews. Her funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the West Congregational Church, 27 Johnson St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., (downtown location) Peabody. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery, West Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Foundation of Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary, for Macular Degeneration Research, 243 Charles St., Boston MA 02114.