HERMITAGE, Pennsylvania (MyValleyTributes) – Luann Vath Franklin, 85 of Hermitage, formerly of Brookfield, Ohio, passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023, at St. John XXIII Home.

Mrs. Franklin was born on May 22, 1938, in Sharon, a daughter of the late Lewis and Ann (McWilliams) Vath. 

She graduated in 1956 from Hickory High School and in 1960 earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Thiel College, Greenville.

In the early 1970s, Luann and her husband purchased the family business that was founded by her parents, Vath Audio Visuals. Together they successfully managed the company, before selling it in 1993. 

Luann was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd, West Middlesex.

She was also a member of the Quota Club, Hermitage and several bridge clubs in the Shenango Valley. She also picked up golf after retirement and played in a few leagues around the area. 

She always put others first, especially her family. Luann thoroughly enjoyed following her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events. In her children’s younger years, she was active in many Brookfield Sports Boosters. Her kind and giving heart was not to be mistaken for the strong and independent woman that she was. The matriarch of the family, she made sure to keep everyone organized and well taken care of. She looked forward to many spring vacations in Bradenton, Florida, where her husband would visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at spring training and she would spend time at her favorite place, the beach. Any time that included time spent with her family, and her adopted in-laws, the Bianco family, was exactly where she wanted to be. 

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Norbert Franklin, whom she married on May 25, 1963; a daughter, Norann Bianco and her husband, Gene, Hermitage; two sons, Mark Franklin and his wife, Cristi, Chicago, Illinois and Thomas Franklin, Dallas, Texas; seven grandchildren, Matthew and Noah Bianco, Lauren and Zach Franklin, Brittany Stegall and her husband, Alec and Brian and Brindley Franklin and one great-grandson, Weston Stegall.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to either Community Food Warehouse, 109 S. Sharpsville Avenue, Suite A, Sharon, PA 16146; or Buhl Park, 715 Hazen Road, Hermitage, PA 16148.

Calling hour will be 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 17 in the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3613 Sharon Road, West Middlesex. Mass of Christian burial will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the church, with Rev. Glenn Whitman, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hermitage.

Arrangements are being handled by J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

A television tribute will air Thursday, November 16 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.