Obituary of Yolanda Franco

Yolanda Franco, age 102, of Honesdale passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at Wayne Memorial Hospital after an illness. Prior to her hospitalization she had been a resident at Ellen Memorial Health Care Center. Born March 26, 1911 in Scranton, PA, daughter of the late Gennaro and Carolina Martone Franco. Yolanda's parents operated a fruit and confectionary business in Scranton and Newark, NJ before coming to Honesdale in 1918 where they resided and established their business at 1019 Main Street. The business operated until the flood of 1942. Yolanda graduated from Honesdale High School in 1928 and subsequently graduated from the Wayne Commercial School. She worked as a secretary to Attorney Ira B. Rutherford of the Rutherford Law Firm, and the Branley Knitting Mill. Yolanda served as Wayne County Public Library's first librarian from 1940 to 1946 when it was located at 104 Tenth Street, Honesdale. She had been awarded a scholarship at the Pennsylvania State College Library School. She was also employed by Theodore Engstrand as a clerk at the Honesdale Greenhouse Store located at 1019 Main Street. Later she worked for Curtain Ways of New York as a designer and fabricator of custom drapes and curtains at the 1019 Main Street location. The store was known as "The Tree House" after the beautiful elm tree that her father had planted years before in front of the property. Yolanda is survived by several cousins and devoted friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Francis Franco in 2007 and her sister-in-law, Martha Engstrand Franco this year. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Memorial Contributions may be made in Yolanda's memory to GHP Shade Tree Committee sent to the Greater Honesdale Partnership, 32 Commercial Street, Suite 3, Honesdale, Pa 18431. Arrangements are attended by the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home 1228 North Main Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.