Frances Elizabeth Francis

Frances passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on May 28, 2022. Fran was born October 31, 1922 in Detroit and lived her first 12 years in Port Huron, MI. When her family moved to Lansing, she began attending St. Mary's where she graduated in 1941. Fran's high school years left her with great memories and cherished life-long friends. In 1950 Frances married Royce (Bill) Francis and they had six children. Fran was a devout Catholic and a founding member of St. Gerard Church.

Frances lived the life of an exemplary wife, mother, and friend. Her knack for keeping a well-run household and preparing delicious meals on a tight budget was unparalleled. She raised her children with a perfect mix of love and discipline. Frannie enjoyed spending her summers on the beach at Lake Michigan, playing tennis, and vacationing during the winter on the gulf of Mexico. Fran also had an artistic flair and studied oil painting later in life. Her beautiful works now decorate the homes of her children and grandchildren. Her door was always open to her children's friends for a warm meal or a soft bed. The unconditional love, vitality and playfulness she displayed were her endearing Irish traits coupled with her fierce devotion to family, friends, and democracy.

Frances was predeceased by her parents, James and Mary Kane along with her husband Bill (2000), son William (1998), daughter Kathleen (2003) and grandson Nicholas (1992) as well as her siblings and their spouses, Patricia (Bill) Havens, Anna (Mike) Magnotta, John (Ozzie) Kane and Carroll (Pete) Lilla. Surviving Frances are her children Therese (John) Lehman, Tom (Judy) Francis, Tim Francis and Mary Francis along with her grandchildren, Bevin, Emily (Joshue), Allison (Austin), Dwight, Jordan, Lowell, Emmett, Claudia and great-grandsons Lincoln and Leo.

An enormous thanks to Mary Francis for her loving, self-sacrificing care of Mom these last several years.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Frances this Thursday, June 2nd at 1:30pm at St. Gerard Church with visitation at the church beginning at 12:30pm. A private committal will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.