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Frances Whitfield Obituary
August 15, 1936 - November 9, 2024
Durham, North Carolina - Frances M Whitfield, age 88, passed away on November 9th at Duke Medical Center. Fran was born on August 15th, 1936 in Asheville NC to the late Mary W Rathburn and Frank Moffitt. Fran is survived by her husband W. Douglas Whitfield, their daughter Marjorie Whitfield Bower (Jim), and grandchildren Laura and Douglas. She was predeceased by siblings Bobby Hugh Moffitt, Mary Jo Moore, and Billy Rathburn.
Fran worked as an Assistant OR Supervisor, Nurse Educator, and OR Supervisor during her 35-year career as a nurse with the VA. She received her Nursing Diploma from Memorial Mission Hospital School of Nursing in 1955, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Carolina Central University in 1985. She was a firsthand witness to many miraculous medical and surgical advancements. Her lifelong passion for Nursing was seen and felt by everyone she cared for and was honored when she received the 1991 Great 100 Award for Nursing Excellence in North Carolina.
As an alumnus of Warren Wilson College, Fran was elected as a member of the Alumni Board from 2005-2008. For her services to the College, she received the Distinguished Community Service Award in 2009. She was then appointed to the Board of Trustees from 2010-2016. She was proud to be able to give back to the school that gave her so much.
After her retirement in 1994 she pursued her hobbies of knitting, sewing, reading and playing the guitar. She enjoyed traveling which took her around the globe to visit many exciting places and to visit the countless friends she made along the way. She kept busy volunteering with her church and community. Her lifelong love of music ensured that music was a constant companion on her travels and in her home.
After her grandchildren relocated to Louisville, Kentucky in 2000, nursing once again beckoned. She worked part-time in pharmaceutical research at PPD giving first time in human drugs which she found fascinating and fulfilling. She then became an Occupational Health Nurse at Nortel Networks until 2005. Later she went back to the pharmaceutical research with AAIpharma from which she retired a second time in 2006.
The celebration of Fran's life will be held at St Paul's Lutheran Church on November 19th, 2024 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St Paul's Lutheran Church or The Salvation Army.
The Cremation Society of the Carolinas will be assisting the Whitfield family. Online condolences can be made at www.cremationsocietync.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frances Whitfield
Sponsored by Cremation Society of the Carolinas/Capital Funeral Home - Raleigh.
1 Entry
Harry Atkins
November 21, 2024
I was a classmate with Frances at Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC. She was a very active student then and later in supporting Warren Wilson. She was a leader and excellent organizer of class reunions for our class of 1956. Frances was always happy and a friend to all. RIP my dear friend. A life well lived.
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