She was a graduate of the University of Florida in 1966 with a B.S. degree in Physical Therapy. She was an avid Gator fan, and particularly loved to watch their football and basketball teams. While in college, she joined Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, and continued to be proud of her lifelong membership. After graduation, she worked as a RPT in Palm Beach, Hollywood, and Fort Lauderdale, and later for the Palm Beach Visiting Nurses. She also loved to sew on her Bernina, and created a line of children's clothes which were sold in boutiques in Palm Beach and St. Petersburg. She was known to be able to create just about anything sitting at her sewing machine, from baby gifts for family and friends to fabulous dresses and Halloween costumes; from boat and car seat covers to monogrammed shirts and jackets.
Her greatest accomplishments were as a beloved wife, mother, sister and daughter. She leaves behind her husband of 47 years, Ron, daughter Heather, a teacher at Deerlake Middle School in Tallahassee, and son Matt (Katie), who works in Medical sales in Birmingham, AL. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. Frank and Mrs. Ethel Greenwald of St. Petersburg, FL. Dr. Greenwald was a graduate of Columbia University and did a residency at Johns Hopkins at the University of Maryland. It was there that he met and married Ethel, a nursing graduate of the University of Maryland. She also leaves her sisters Mary Wotring (Phil) of Milton, KY, and Becky Falzone (Bill) of Seminole, FL, as well as nieces Daphne Hamm (Ron) and Brandi Falzone, nephews Bruce Wotring (Judy) and Brooks Falzone, and grand nieces Emma Wotring, Lyla Wotring (who was born on her birthday), and Brooklyn Falzone. She was raised as a member of the Methodist church, and held deep religious convictions. She was absolutely cherished as a kind, compassionate and completely selfless wife and mother. Everyone in her entire family is very close to and dependent on her. She also had a close relationship with many wonderful cousins, friends, and neighbors. She had a great love for dogs, from stray hound dogs she adopted as a child to the seven Westies who have been a part of our family over the years. Willie, Pee Wee, Precious, Jane and Rudy will be waiting for her at the Bridge. Lily, Lucy and Dru will be missing her greatly.
Fran and Ron met at Boca Ciega High School in St. Petersburg, dated at St. Petersburg Junior College, and got engaged at the University of Florida. While they married in St. Petersburg, they moved 11 times over the years in connection with his career, taking them from several locations in south Florida to Atlanta and finally Tallahassee.
She and Ron visited 48 states and 52 countries in their many travels. They would have set foot on every continent but for a cruise ship that didn't quite make it to Antarctica. She even humored her husband by going along on several motorcycle trips. She visited every country on her list, and made multiple visits to some such as China and Russia. Some countries, like India, she visited just to go with Ron, and that is one of many reasons she is missed so much.
The family will receive friends from 5:30-6:30 pm Thursday November 14, 2013 at Culley’s Meadowwood Funeral Home, Timberlane Chapel, Tallahassee, FL. Funeral services will be held that evening at 6:30 with a Reception immediately following in the MeadowWood Room. Interment services will take place 2:30 pm Saturday November 16, 2013 at Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel in St. Petersburg, FL.
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