Frances Franklin

Frances M. Franklin NORFOLK - Frances Myers "Frannie" Franklin, 92, of the 7400 block of Gleneagles Road, died Oct. 27, 2009, in her home. Frannie was born in Philadelphia, the daughter of the late John Taylor Myers and Edna Thornhill Myers. Frannie graduated from Upper Darby High School and Temple University. Frannie adored ice skating, trained at Lake Placid and was invited to tour with the Ice Capades. She was elected May Queen three different times throughout high school and college. She taught as a third grade teacher in Swarthmore, Pa., until she moved to Savannah, Ga., with the American Red Cross to join in the war effort as a volunteer coordinator for injured soldiers. There she met Dr. John Franklin at the Air Force Regional Hospital and they were married in 1943. Frannie loved children and greatly enjoyed her experience as an assistant librarian at the Norfolk Academy. Survivors include two daughters, Jane Franklin Todd and husband David Todd of Edenton, N.C., and Ann Franklin Wentzel of Suffolk; a son, John Franklin III and wife Martha Franklin of Virginia Beach; six grandchildren, Christopher E. Todd, David M. Todd, John C. Franklin, Anne T. Franklin, Lindsay M. Wentzel and Taylor H. Wentzel. Frannie is survived by her best high school buddy, Dorothy R. "Pottsie" Corr, whom she loved so dearly. Frannie was truly an angel on this earth. She never knew a stranger and was a friend to all. She loved her family with all her heart. Her warmth, enthusiasm, positive nature, courage and loving spirit will be remembered by all who knew her and loved her. It was her smile that we will remember because it never left her face, her kindness because it never left her heart, and her grace because it never left her soul. She was our Mother, our Grandma, our Mema and our Gogie, a steadfast love without a cause, a blessing without an end. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd by the Rev. Robert Davenport. A reception will follow at the church. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments., Norfolk Chapel, Sunday from 5 until 6 p.m. Donations in Frannie's name may be made to the Norfolk Academy or to the Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology at the Eastern Virginia Medical School. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hdoliver.com.