Frances Rickards Rondum

1924 - 2019

Frances Rickards Rondum died at Frederick Memorial Hospital on September 25, 2019. She was 95.

Daughter of Russell West Rickards and Carrie Lister Masten, both of Delaware, she was born on May 14, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA. She was the wife of the late Svend B. Rondum.

As a young woman, she studied art at the Philadelphia Museum School, and then went on to paint with friends well into her 80's, when she could no longer see well enough to continue. She became a licensed realtor soon after moving to Frederick in the mid 1960's and worked at it for 25 years. She graduated from Hood College at the age of 58 with a BA in history. She and her husband enjoyed 20 yeas of snowbird life in Naples, FL. They traveled extensively, going to all the states in the "lower 48", parts of Canada, South America and Europe. But always, Bethany Beach, DE was her favorite vacation place.

Fran was a most enthusiastic volunteer at the Literacy Council of Frederick, and at an elementary school in Florida. She also volunteered at her church, Middletown United Methodist.

She is survived by daughters: Karen (David) Bergeron of Churchville MD, Kristina (Joe) Ginorio of Frederick MD; grandchildren, Brian (Kelly) Sites of Frederick MD, Rebecca (Thomas) Bergeron of Toccoa GA, Alex (Caitlin) Perry of Milton VT, Sophia (Jason) Meurer of Leesburg VA, Julia (Dan) Ginorio of Huntington VT, and great grandchildren, McKenna of MD, Ronan and Niko of VA and Margo of VT; her beloved brother, Stanley Rickards or Christiana PA and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her daughter Susan.

A memorial service will be held at Middletown United Methodist Church, 7108 Fern Circle, Middletown, MD 21769 on Saturday, October 12 at 1:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Literacy Chapter or food bank.