Franciska M. Gero

Mrs. Franciska M. (Bédi) Gero, of Waltham, died Friday, April 4, 2008 at Medway Country Manor, Medway. She was 85. Born in Hungary, a daughter of the late Lajos and Wilma (Doth) Bédi, she had been a Waltham resident for the past 52 years. She and her late husband, Zsigmond, fled Hungary in 1956 during the Hungarian Revolution with the aid of the American Red Cross who met them, with their three Hungarian born children, across the border with Austria. They eventually settled in Waltham with the help of the Eugene Picard family of Waltham who sponsored them. The Picard's found housing, employment and a place in school for the children once they reached the United States. Franciska was a homemaker whose passion was gardening and enjoyed tending to the family home and yard in Waltham. She was a longtime member of Our Lady's parish in Waltham and had also been a member of the North Waltham Senior Citizens. She leaves her children, George C. Gero of Falmouth, Anna C. Orifice and her husband, Reginald, of Chester, New Hampshire, Katalin M. Parkas and her husband, James, of Centerville, Judith E. Baillio and her husband, James, of Franklin and Dorothea C. Russo and her husband, Donald, of Waltham; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham at 10:30 a.m. Committal services will be held at Newton Cemetery Chapel. Visiting hours are Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross, 867 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451.