Frances Stonemetz 1950-2025

Mom came into the world Sept. 12, 1950, born to the late Richard and Marcella Bird.

Mom met our dad, Harry Pickett, when she was just 14. Dad was instantly smitten with her beautiful red hair. They married in November 1966 and spent nearly 40 years building a life full of love, laughter and endless shenanigans. One of the greatest joys of their life together was becoming grandparents — something they absolutely cherished. Dad passed in January 2006, the year they would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Now, they are together again.

Mom was fortunate to find love again during her lifetime. She married David “Stoney” Stonemetz in July 2011. With Stoney, she gained two bonus daughters, Stephanie and Ashley, and later even more grandchildren to adore. Mom and Stoney remained a dynamic duo until his passing on Nov. 21, 2025.

Mom and Stoney embraced a snowbird lifestyle, spending most of their time in Florida and visiting home in the summer. If you wanted to see Mom at any other time, you had to go to her — because she was not getting on an airplane for any reason.

Throughout her career, Mom worked the switchboard, bookkeeping, payroll and billing for several trucking companies, most notably Herriott Trucking, J&J and Nulfco.

Her greatest accomplishments were her children, Jeff and Tammy, and she never let us forget how proud she was to be our mom. Becoming “Nan,” “Franma” and “G-Nan” brought her immeasurable joy. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her whole heart.

She loved her family and friends fiercely. She loved to laugh, daisies, playing cards, Foghorn Leghorn, Franco Harris, cheering loudly for the Pittsburgh Steelers, get-togethers with friends, laughing and surrounding herself with the people she loved. Each Thanksgiving, we praised her for her famous homemade noodles and her dinner rolls — rolls so good that even Texas Roadhouse couldn’t compete.

We will miss Mom telling us we are “acting just like” our dad — because she didn’t want to take responsibility for our weirdness or our embarrassing behavior. We will miss making her laugh. We will miss her warmth and her humor.

In honor of Mom’s wishes, there will be no services at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

She is survived by her loving big sister, Nancy DeMase of New Castle, Pa.; her children, Jeff Pickett (Denise) and Tammy Rex (Michael); her stepdaughters, Stephanie Mora Stonemetz (Dan Sneddon), and Ashley Stonemetz-Walding (Jared); grandchildren, George (Samarra), Joshua (Cait), Madyson (Parker), Jonathon (Brooke), Jacob (Carina), Jesse, Logan, Mallory, Jayden, Devon and Adrienne; and great-grandchildren, Jackson and Jade.

She also leaves behind many beloved family members and cherished nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her brother, Dale Bird, and, since Mom’s passing, her brother, Robert “Bob” Bird.

Mom lived a life full of heart, humor, strength and devotion. She was proud of her family, proud of the life she built and proud of who she was. We are proud to have been hers.

Rest easy, Ma. Give Dad and Stoney a hug from us.

• Written with love by her amazing children (she would call us that).

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