Frankie Wellins

WELLINS, FRANKIE SESSMER 89, died February 17, 2015 in Providence, independent to the end. Born in Louisville to Jewish immigrants from Odessa (Ukraine), she married Ira Wellins in 1947 and moved to Cranston in 1952. Armed with only a high school diploma, she became Director of Career Services at RI College and got into Harvard at age 53 to earn her M.Ed. With her lifelong friend Alma Fontana, she was a leader of The Players at Barker Playhouse for over 57 years and named Vice President for Life. A major civic activist, she was honored as one of "America's Top Volunteers" in 1998, for leadership roles including: President, Volunteer Center of RI; VP, Nat'l Council of Jewish Women; board member, RI Chamber Music Concerts and A New Leaf. She was a proud Miriam Hospital volunteer till just last year. A founder of Temple Sinai, she was active in Friday Group. Preceded in death by husband Ira and daughter Dr. Diane Wellins Moul, she is mourned by daughter Nancy Wellins, sons-in-law Andy Moul and Michael Charles, grandchildren Ricca Gaus, Samantha Gaus, and Ari Charles, sister Bea Herbert, and countless family and friends. She donated her remains to Brown Medical School. Memorial service TBA in June. Donations to The Players, 400 Benefit St. Providence 02903.