Susan M. French

                Susan Marie French, who just celebrated her 74th birthday, died October 31, 2025, with family at her side after battling ALS with dignity and grace.  Susan was born on October 27, 1951 in Batavia, New York to Earl and Irene (Moore) Keefer. 

                After moving to Seneca, Pennsylvania early in life, she spent the rest of it in Venango County.  She graduated in 1970 from Cranberry Area High School.

                Susan married her husband of 54 years, Ronald French, on August 27, 1971.  Susan and Ron were high school sweethearts who started dating when she just 16 years old.  A lifelong member of Good Hope Lutheran Church in Oil City, they were married there surrounded by family and friends. 

                Following graduation, she found a job at Northwest Bank in Seneca.  Her career as a bank teller was one of which she was very proud.  After starting at the Seneca branch of Northwest Bank, she moved to the Oil City office where she became head teller.  Following her time with Northwest, she began working for First United National Bank of Fryburg.  She worked at FUN Bank for 27 years until declining health forced her to retire.  She loved her job but especially loved her customers and getting to know them and their lives.  Susan was great at her job-- her kind heart and chatty nature while working the teller line endeared her to all. 

                In May of 2024, Susan was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, a neurodegenerative condition that affects how nerve cells communicate with your muscles.  It leads to muscle weakness that gets worse over time and can affect how one moves, speaks, and breathes.  After struggling since 2021 with a variety of symptoms, she finally received an official diagnosis in May of last year. 

                Susan is survived by her husband, Ron; her children, Jennifer Hickman and Douglas French; and five grandchildren.  Susan helped to raise three of her grandchildren, Deacon French, and Zain and Marla Hickman.  She adored these children and is so proud of all that they have, and will continue to, accomplish in their lives. 

                Susan is also survived by her brother Ed (Susie) Keefer of Lewes, Delaware, her sister Margie (Todd) Hart of Franklin, and a half-brother Fred (Grace) Keefer of Salt Lake City; brother-in-law Dave (Kim) French of Meadville; sisters-in-law Susie (Bob) Rossiter of Flower Mound, Texas, Sheila (Dave) LeGoullon of Port Orange, Florida, Sally Masterson of Port Orange, Florida; and a brother-in-law Jeff French of Franklin. 

                She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Irene Keefer; Ron's sister, Sherry French, brother-in-law Gene Masterson, and Ron's parents, Ron and Rose French. 

                Susan's life will be celebrated at Good Hope Lutheran Church, 800 Moran Street in Oil City from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025.  A memorial service will directly follow at 11:30 a.m. in the church, with Rev. J. Michael Parsh, officiating.

                In her honor, donations may be made "In Memory" of Susan to Good Hope's bi-monthly community meal distribution; or to the Venango County Humane Society. 

                A memorial walk with donations collected in support of the ALS Association will be held in June of 2026 in Franklin.  For more information closer to the date, those interested may email Margie at:  mlhart86@gmail.com

                Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hile-Best Funeral Home in Seneca.  To express online condolences to Susan's family, visit www.hilebest.com

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