Francis McNeal Harding

Francis McNeal Harding, aged 88, died unexpectedly on September 8, 2015 at his home in Chevy Chase Maryland. His wife, Marie, passed away 8 months earlier and after 70 years of marriage he was lonely without her.

Francis was born on July 6th 1927 in Washington, DC. He was the 3rd child of 7 siblings. His father was Robert Ira Harding and his mother, Catherine Burke.

When he was 17 and a senior in high school, Francis enlisted in the U S Navy. That year he married Marie Kjellson, the love of his life.

In the Navy, Francis became a “Seabee” cook mastering large pots of soups and stews. After his service he was awarded an honorable discharge to take his wife and new baby daughter home. The Navy funded his 2 years in art school after which he became an illustrator and a graphics designer. He worked for Creative Arts in his early career and then established his own firm, Design Center, where he prospered for over 15 years. He completed the last 10 years of his career working as a graphics designer for Health and Human Services.

In 1958, his wife Marie was diagnosed with type one diabetes. For over 50 years, Frank embraced his role as her care giver and learned to adapt to the changing technology required to provide for Marie. Pin pricks, carb counts, insulin pumps and changing infusions were a mandatory part of their lives together. Applying her make-up, fixing her hair, helping her with the daily chores that she could no longer handle was his labor of love. His second passion was golf which he started playing when he was 12. He was a very active member of the Argyle Country Club where he won several “championship” trophies over the years.

Francis is survived by his daughter Cheryl and husband Marshall his grandson, Russell and great grandchildren Kellson and Trevor and his step granddaughter, Meg Graham, partner Amy and their children Ella and Kate and his step grandson, John Graham and family. Three of his siblings remain; Bob, Ted, and Jane.

There will be a reception and services for Francis at Gawlers Funeral Home at 5310 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington DC 20016 at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 12th, 2015.