Mary Louise Howe Franck

Mary (Louise Howe) Franck

August 4, 1925 ~ September 14, 2018

Mary was born August 4, 1925 in Oakland CA to Charles Dudgeon Howe and Willa Ashley Howe. Starting out a Californian, at an early age her family migrated north to Seattle, where she spent the remainder of her long life. After Roosevelt High School, she graduated from the University of Washington, with a degree in psychology. While at the UW, she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and maintained friendships with many of her sisters for years following.

In 1947 she married Victor Russell Franck, raising a family [son Daniel Victor Franck, and daughter Barbara Franck Grimes] in north Seattle. The Francks were a boating family, spending countless happy days cruising the Puget Sound and the inland waterways of British Columbia in a succession of Vic Franck built yachts. Mary also filled her time as a docent at the Woodland Park Zoo and as a member of the Orthopedic Guild of Children's Hospital. She satisfied her creative ambitions by weaving and needlework. Many placemats, scarves, and stitchery projects were created over the years.

As empty nesters, Vic and Mary bought a home in Palm Desert, where they spent sunny winters and made new friends. Golf became a passion and Mary managed a hole-in-one, quite a feat, especially at 83!

Her last years were spent at Ida Culver House in Broadview, and Sunrise in Edmonds, where she made many friends, and enjoyed life.

In addition to Dan [wife Elisa] and Barb [husband Carl], Mary is survived by her grandchildren Jason Franck, Kevin Grimes, and Leslie [Grimes] McCallen, her sisters Alice Hingston and Willa (Randy) Rohwer, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service

at the Florence Henry Chapel on October 13 at Noon with reception following. Additional details at www.washelli.com/obituary/271486//Mary-Franck/