Mary Frances McConnell, 86, of Gillette Nursing Home, Warren, OH, formerly of Norwood Avenue, New Castle, passed away the morning of September 21, 2011 at Gillette Nursing Home.Born November 11, 1924 in North Beaver Township, she was a daughter of W. Holland and Nancy Gibson Shaffer. She married Chester L. McConnell on February 28, 1946. He preceded her in death on August 17, 2007.She was a 1942 graduate of New Castle High School. Frances worked for Bell Telephone for two years and Penn Power Company for 21 years as a telephone operator.She belonged to the Women Retirees of Penn Power and was a member of New Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church.Survivors include two sons, Donald L. and Suzanne McConnell of Cortland, OH and Ronald D. and Terryann McConnell of Dayton, OH; two sisters, Peg Hammond of Mt. Jackson, PA and Irene Rishor of Butler, Ohio; and six grandchildren.In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by three brothers, Lewis, James and Charles Shaffer and one sister, Elizabeth Hoover.Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 23, 2011 from 12 to 1:00 p.m. at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road.A funeral service will be held on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. George Yates will officiate. Burial will be in Castle View Gardens.Memorial contributions may be made to New Covenant EPC, 1911 Harlansburg Road, New Castle, PA 16101.