Frances Harriet Carrie (Finnesbo) Rockney, age 100, passed away peacefully October 1, 2018 at The Highlands of Wyomissing, PA. Frances was born March 25, 1918, the only child of Hans Sjursen Finnesbo and May Erie Becker, was raised in Aneta, ND, and graduated as the valedictorian from Aneta High School in 1935. She graduated from Mayville State Teachers College in 1939, where she met her future husband, Vaughn Duane Rockney, of nearby Portland, ND. After graduation, she taught high school in Minnesota.

She and Vaughn moved several times in connection with Vaughn's job with the National Weather Service. They began life together in Gambell on St. Lawrence Island, AK, where Frances taught Inuit children. Frances travelled to Gambell by freighter during wartime to be with Vaughn and they were married shortly after her arrival on September 9, 1943. Their daughter, Valorie Jean, was born December 29, 1944, and lived her first two years in Bethel, AK. Vaughn was then transferred to Chicago where their son, Vaughn Duane Jr., was born September 19, 1947. They next lived in Bethesda, MD until Vaughn's retirement in 1974, though with a stint in Boston where Vaughn took courses in mathematics and meteorology at MIT. Their third child, Bennett Hanson, was born July 3, 1956. Upon retirement, they returned to ND and enjoyed life in Aneta, where they were active in church and community activities and were friends of many in the town. They moved to The Highlands, Wyomissing, in 1992, where Vaughn passed away April 30, 1999.

Throughout her life, Frances found creative expression in sewing. She sewed clothing for herself and her children, as well as professional quality slipcovers and drapes. She outdid herself sewing chic and attractive dresses for Valorie in college. Frances’ dresses were much admired by Valorie’s friends, and there was one weekend evening when no fewer than five of her dresses, worn by Valorie and various young friends, went out to festive parties. Even well into her 90s, Frances sewed some lovely linen curtains for Valorie.

Frances had a life-long interest in education, especially reading. For many years, she took her children to the library every Monday night, and they took home armloads of books every time. The first in their families to go to college, Frances and Vaughn sent all three of their children through college and graduate school. She herself was a great reader, and enjoyed discussing books with friends.

In addition to her three children, Frances is survived by her son Ben's wife, Laurel Beth (Engelsen) Rockney, two granddaughters, Bethany Ann Rockney and Erin Frances (Rockney) Van Wagenen, grandson-in-law, Christopher Peter Van Wagenen, and two great-grandchildren, Miller Rose Van Wagenen and Bennett Anders Van Wagenen.

Frances will be buried next to Vaughn at the Silent Hill Cemetery in Aneta and a small family service is planned at the graveside in June to coincide with Aneta's world-renowned annual Turkey Barbecue.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.