Frances Panneton Onaitis

Frances Panneton Onaitis, 83, of Mount Airy, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at home prayerfully surrounded by her loving family.

Born on September 3, 1942, in Washington D.C., she was the daughter of the late Francis Panneton and Ester Bernier Panneton. She was the wife of James Onaitis, her husband of 59 years.

Frances graduated from Immaculata High School in Washington D. C. and attended Wheeling (Jesuit) College graduating with a degree in Sociology with minors in Philosophy and Theology. In 1961 when fearsome "Frankie" greeted the incoming group of freshmen to Wheeling College, little did some of them realize that this orientation tzar would become the initiative and glue for life-long friendships that would last to and beyond her death. Since 1997 more than a dozen of those newbies have Fran to thank for inviting them to share time at the Outer Banks, a gesture that began a tradition of biennial trips to the beach that solidified love and respect among the OBX gang over the past 60+ years. From the hysteria and chaos of group trips for groceries, to lazing on the beach, to shared cooking and mealtimes and her always delicious potato salad, to the competitive charades, bridge and scrabble games, the fun times were peppered with quiet and reflective conversation. And Frances always there, the heart of it all. She is, and forever will be, a blessing and a gift.

In addition to husband, she is survived by her loving daughter Maureen Onaitis Santucci and her husband Stephen, her beloved grandson Jeremy James and two granddaughters Taylor Santucci and Brooke Juarez and husband Marvin, and two great-granddaughters, Cora and Hazel. Frances was the oldest of seven children and is survived by brothers Ron and Becky, Roger and Snow, Tony, Douglas, and sisters Judy and Nip Boykin and Carol Hawkinson and their families.

She was predeceased by her parents Francis and Ester Panneton and her beloved daughter Michele Anne Onaitis.

She was member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Poplar Springs, Maryland where she was a lector and an active member of a weekly Women’s Bible study group.

Her favorite Bible quote: Romans 8:28

“We know that all things work for good for those that love God, who are called according to His purpose.”

Frances was called to be His child and He held her in the palm of His hand. Jesus loved her and filled her with His life. She listened to His Spirit and followed His ways.

She loved her neighbors. Once when a woman moved into the neighborhood, she baked her special Banana-Nut bread and delivered it. Theresa loved it and insisted on getting her recipe which Frances shared, the start of a new friendship. To this day the Theresa bakes the bread as a present for Frances at Christmas.

Frances was always aware of neighborhood activities; she noticed that Mary Jo was not driving at all for several days. She called her to see if she was OK. Mary Jo was experiencing very great pain both physically and spiritually. Major back issues and spiritual questioning of her belief in God were causing her grief. She shared that with Frances who suggested going to Mass that morning, she agreed. Her witness is that this conversation and action by Frances brought her back to her Catholic faith.

Frances' greatest joy and blessing was being NANA to her Jeremy James. She provided care for him as an infant at home, then preschool, kindergarten, elementary school where she volunteered as an aide just to keep an eye on him. Finally high school, several days a week she would awake at 5:30 AM go to his home make sure he was awake, feed him breakfast and drive him to the school bus stop, often he would plead with her to drive him to school, which she would do. She attended all his basketball and football games. She had great joy at his high school graduation, a new start in his life. Frances was deeply involved in his spiritual upbringing always sharing that Jesus was with him. She coordinated his first communion education at St Micheal Church school and rejoiced when that day happened. Christmas and Easter Mass were a very special family event after which a family dinner at a local restaurant was enjoyed. Months ago, Jeremy started to attend Sunday Mass with her and Pap later to be joined by his mother, Maureen. What a blessing that was. He was very attentive during Frances' last months, bringing a smile of recognition on her face when he visited. He also was prayerfully present when she died.

Frances was a fruitful vine planted by deep water. It takes sorrow to expand and deepen the soul. Blessed is sorrow, for it reveals God’s comfort. AMEN

A Mass at St Michael Catholic Church celebrating her life will be held in the future. 

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to your local Hospice Care Organization.