Francine "Franke" DeBevoise

Francine 'Franke' DeBevoise Portraitist, 87 Longtime Lebanon, N.J., resident Franke DeBevoise passed away Feb. 8, 2017, surrounded by her family, from complications of Alzheimer's disease, at Sanatoga Court in Pottstown, Pa. She had been compassionately cared for there by the wonderful people in the dementia unit for over two years. She was born Lorraine Francine Pidgeon on March 27, 1929, in Northport, Long Island, N.Y., to Harold and Alice Conklin Pidgeon. She lost her father to an auto accident at the age of seven and was raised under difficult circumstances by a widowed mother during the Depression. During her formative years she frequently lived with the family of her best friend, Rolly Searight, who survives her in their hometown. Franke graduated from Northport High School in 1947, where she was a member of The National Honor Society. She enrolled at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., where she later met her future husband, Kenneth H. DeBevoise Jr. She graduated in 1951 and they were married on July 4, 1952. In 1954 they settled in Bogota, Bergen County, N.J., where they raised their children, Mark and Jill. Franke began to paint in the 1950's after putting the kids to bed. She became so engrossed late at night that she had to be convinced to put down the brushes and get some sleep. Franke was an accomplished portrait artist for over 50 years. She studied initially with Helen Van Wyck and Paul Ortlip in New Jersey, and later at The Art Students League in Manhattan under preeminent artists E. Raymond Kinstler, William Draper and John Howard Sandler, all presidential portraitists. She was on the board and a lifetime member of the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club and a member of The National Arts Club, both in New York City. Her work can be found in courthouses, colleges and corporate offices and in many private collections. In her later life, Franke took great pleasure in portraying Native Americans in their traditional regalia. Franke was deeply committed to her family, and in the words of her grandson, "She always saw the best in people and never spoke an ill word of anyone. She taught us all, by example, how to be kind and compassionate." Franke is survived by her son, Mark of Willow Grove, Pa.; her daughter, Jill Noble (Hank); grandchildren, Jacqueline Mitchell (Adrian) of Pottstown, Pa., and Bradley Sudol of Philadelphia; and great-grandchildren, Mekhi and Tyven Mitchell. A Memorial Service will be held at Scarponi Bright Funeral Home in Lebanon on Saturday, Feb. 18, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m., and service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3 Eves Dr., Marlton, N.J. 08053 or alz.org Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home 26 Main Street Lebanon, NJ 08833 (908) 236-2520