Frances Lynn "Fran" Osborne

OSBORNE, Frances Lynn "Fran", 55, passed away on Friday, December 15, at Henrico Doctors Hospital in Richmond, VA after a short illness. Born in Wilmington, DE on April 6, 1968, Fran was the daughter of the late Frank J. Osborne, Jr. and Ruth Zalman Osborne. She grew up in Newark, DE with her twin sister, Ann C. Osborne. She graduated from Newark High School in 1986 where she was active in cheerleading, band, swim team, and yearbook. She also swam for the Fairfield/Fairfield Crest Swim Club and for the Newark YWCA. She attended her father's alma mater, Randolph Macon College, in Ashland, VA and graduated in 1990 with a B.A. in Fine Arts History with a History minor. She was a member of the Phi Mu Sorority and worked on the yearbook staff. She was inducted into the Society for Collegiate Journalists and won the R-MC Department of the Arts Award. In the summers she was a lifeguard for Newark Parks & Recreation and pool manager for Camp Pecometh in Centreville, MD. After college, Fran lived in Glen Allen, VA where she worked as a graphic artist and art director for several advertising and marketing firms. Among those employers were West Cary Group LLC, Capital One Financial Corporation, Richmond Magazine, Riddick Corporate Marketing, and Cadmus Communications. Fran enjoyed interior design, keeping up with her friends and family members on social media, and pampering her cats; the late "Jordan" and her recent kitty companion "Bowie". Fran was described by those who knew her best as intelligent, fun, witty, thoughtful, kind, caring, and a bright light in the world. Fran is survived by her twin sister Ann C. Osborne and her sister Mary E. Torbey (Edmond), both of Newark, DE. She is also survived by her first cousins Edna W. Freeman of Boydton, VA, and Laura A. Lewis of Appomattox, VA, along with many family members in Virginia and North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Fran's memory to Faithful Friends Animal Society in New Castle, DE or to Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA.

A celebration of life service will be held at Bliley's Funeral Home at 8510 Staples Mill Road, Henrico, VA on Saturday, January 6, at 2 p.m. We suggest that attendees wear bright colors to honor Fran's love of art and design, or black and gold to honor the school colors of Fran's two alma maters. A second celebration of life service will be held at R. T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home in Newark, DE on Saturday, January 13, at 1:00 p.m. with interment to follow.