ILION/HERKIMER – Mrs. Frances J. Bugaj, age 96, a longtime Mohawk Valley resident, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 8, 2017, at Valley Health Services in Herkimer, where she has resided for the past five years. Born in Albany on February 24, 1920, Frances was the daughter of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Callahan) McGrath. She was wed to the late Zygmunt Bugaj on May 7, 1938, and the couple shared in a blessed union of over 45 years until Mr. Bugaj’s passing on January 3, 1984. Beyond her duties as wife and mother, Frances worked for H.P. Snyder Manufacturing Company, retiring in 1974. As a couple, Frances and Zygmunt lived for many years on Canadarago Lake where they loved to fish together. They had an active social life, and enjoyed playing bingo together, up and down the Mohawk Valley. Later in life, Frances made many friends at Prindle Apartments in Ilion. She will forever live on in the hearts of her children and grandchildren. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Richard Sager of Rochester, NY; her sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Wendy Bugaj of Little Falls, Terrance Bugaj of Utica, and Kenneth and Jenny Bugaj of Lexington, NC; and her grandchildren, Lisa Bugaj, Rebecca Fredericks, Josh Bugaj, Samantha (Bugaj) Zumpano, Shelah Miller, Stacey Bugaj, Stephanie Bugaj, Melanie Bugaj, Amy (Bugaj) Batty, Kenneth Bugaj Jr, Justin Bugaj, William Sager and Michelle Heckler; as well as several great and great great grandchildren. Forever in her heart were the memory of her two grandsons, Zygmunt P. Bugaj and Brett R. Bugaj, who preceded her in death and she was also predeceased by her sisters, Catherine Kiddney and Joan Riente. Frances’ family will honor her life in a private gathering in the spring in St. Mary’s Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. There will be no public services at this time. Service arrangements have been entrusted to Harry J. and Kevin E. Enea, Funeral Directors of the Enea Family Funeral Home (F.K.A. Holleran Funeral Service) 220 North Washington Street, Herkimer, NY (315) 866-1011.