Frances L. Holcomb

Frances Louise Holcomb, née Boyce, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, passed away on August 24, 2026, at the age of 84.

Born in Grafton, West Virginia, Frances spent the past 50 years in the family home in Cuyahoga Falls. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harlan Roger Holcomb; son, Thomas Holcomb, father, Virgil Boyce, and mother, Goldie Frady.

Frances is survived by sons, William Holcomb and wife, Kimberly, of Hartville, Charles Holcomb and Jennifer Bacho of Stow; brother, Will Frady and wife Sherry of Springfield; granddaughters, Ashley McAvinew and husband Ben of Clinton; Elizabeth Holcomb and Charles Shortridge of Ravenna; Taylor Shaw and husband Easton of North Canton; Mackenzie Holcomb of Chesterland; and great-grandchildren, Presley and Peyton McAvinew, and Jackson Shaw.

Frances worked for many years at Norandex Corporation in Walton Hills until back problems eventually forced her to leave the workforce. While her working days came to an end, it gave her more freedom to do something she loved—watching her boys play sports. She rarely missed a Little League baseball game, an adult softball game, or a bowling night. She later enjoyed bowling herself and remained active in a bowling league until she was nearly 80 years old.

She was a devoted Cleveland baseball fan and loved sharing the games with her brother Will, often texting back and forth about the score or whatever was happening on the field. And while Cleveland eventually changed the team’s name, Frances was never inclined to change her own way of referring to them. To her, they were still “the Indians.”

Those who knew Frances knew that she was sassy, tough, and independent. She did not mince words and was not particularly concerned about whether her opinions were considered politically correct. If a thought entered her mind, there was a good chance she was going to share it. Yet behind that outspoken nature was a woman who loved and cared deeply about her family.

Frances fiercely valued her independence and held onto it until the very end. She refused to give up driving, and if she had a craving for Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, or Arby’s, she did not hesitate to get in the car and head off to the drive-thru. She faced the many challenges of her later years—including kidney failure, dialysis, and numerous hospital stays—with the same determination that had carried her through life. When dialysis increasingly took a physical toll on her body, Frances ultimately made the difficult decision to stop treatment and spend her final days on her own terms.

Her family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to her neighbors and friends who helped Frances maintain her independence. Whether you helped with errands, household chores, transportation, or simply made sure she got safely home when she was too ill to drive herself, your kindness meant more to Frances and her family than words can express.

Frances loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved being present for the lives of the people she cared about and following the things that mattered to them. Her family will remember her not only for her strength and independence, but also for her honesty, her determination, her sharp wit, and the unmistakable spirit that made Frances who she was.

She will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and impossible to replace.