Joan Suzanne Franke

1937 - 2022

FRANKE, Joan Suzanne, loving and supportive wife, devoted mother, proud grandmother and true friend to many. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 7, 1937, and passed peacefully in Richmond, Virginia on October 22, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Franke; her parents, Oliver and Bernice Berwin; her son, Stephen; and is survived by her daughter, Kirsten Franke of Charlottesville; and her grandchildren, Hannah and Jonah Franke-Fuller and Camryn Montoya-Cohn.

"Sue" graduated from Washington University with a Bachelor of Science degree and Deaconess School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She married her high school sweetheart, Ralph A. Franke, and began their lives of 54 years together, traveling for his career with DuPont. She also developed her own career, practicing nursing in Nashville, Tennessee and later in Richmond, Virginia. There, she worked at Retreat Hospital and with the Virginia Heart Association before changing careers to become a very successful real estate agent, eventually co-owning her own realty company.

Suzanne became President of the Richmond Board of Realtors and later became involved in volunteer service with the Richmond Symphony League once she moved into retirement. Eventually, she became President of the League and was strongly involved in fundraising events.

Suzanne was an extremely fun-loving spirit and remarkable, inspiring woman in the lives of her family, many friends, and colleagues. She had a broad reach during her lifetime as a vibrant and shining light with her contagious laugh, warm smile, energy and warmth. The world has lost a truly wonderful human being who will be greatly missed.

A memorial service celebrating Suzanne's full life will be December 13, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. at Willow Oaks Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Virginia Food Bank or the Richmond Symphony.