Frances Mary Pryor

Frances Mary Pryor, née Mathes, born on February 19, 1944, passed away peacefully at home on October 24. Fran grew up in Lincoln Park, Michigan and graduated from Lincoln Park High School. With her husband, William Charles Pryor, Fran established homes in Flint and Grand Blanc, Michigan; Pittsford, New York; Naperville and Chicago, Illinois while growing a family and working towards her dream of owning a business. In 1992, her dream was realized with the opening of the first Arbor Vitae Java & Juice. Family and friends rallied to support the business as it grew its unique approach to service and provided a vibrant workspace for people with special needs. The highlight for Fran was when her daughter, Theresa, joined the business in 1995 so that they could share both business and lifestyle adventures together. Fran actively supported Misericordia Heart of Mercy, and she planned her week around her Friday volunteer sessions working at the Greenhouse Restaurant as well as the Saturday afternoon mass.

Fran proudly searched for new challenges, completing her first mini-triathlon at the age of 55 and continuing her lifelong fascination with learning French with daily sessions of Duolingo. Following the loss of Theresa in 2010 and William Charles in 2015, Fran moved to downtown Chicago and tirelessly built yet another community of friends and neighbors around Edgewater and Misericordia with unique charm and a proud independence. Fran greatly enjoyed traveling with friends and family, recently celebrating a reunion with her classmates from Lincoln Park High School, attending a Katy Perry concert with Jennifer and friends, celebrating her grandson Joshua's graduation from Air Force basic training, and visiting Walt Disney World with family amongst other adventures with great friends from Naperville and Chicago. A stack of adventure learning course catalogs towered on her kitchen counter at the time of her passing. Fran's favorite days included walks on Edgewater beach and great food shared with family and friends, events that often included celebrating memories of her daughter, Theresa.

Frances is survived by her son, William Howard Pryor, and her daughter, Jennifer Pryor, both of Chicago; her grandsons Joshua Pryor and Justin Dennis; as well as many wonderful extended family members and friends.

For those who prefer, memorials in Fran's name may be directed to Misericordia, 6300 North Ridge, Chicago, IL 60660 or www.misericordia.com.

A memorial visitation will be held at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60646 on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 1pm-3pm with service at 1:30pm.