Grandma in August, 2007After a very sad couple of days, I am writing a quick post to honor my wonderful Grandma Ellie who passed away on Thursday after suffering a massive heart attack. She celebrated her 90th Birthday in August, and she and my Grandpa John just celebrated 70 years of marriage. My grandparents exemplify what it means to be truley committed in a loving relationship- and my Grandma has always been the picture of the strength of a mom. I have strived to be the loving wife and mom that my parents were to me, and their parents were to them. I feel blessed to have had Grandma Ellie in my world, and miss her tremendously. Please keep my family, especially Grandpa, in your prayers during this difficult time.
FROM THE NAPA VALLEY REGISTER
VALLEJO - Eleanor G. Franco passed peacefully on the afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. Eleanor was born Aug. 14, 1917, in Bakersfield to John Marshall and Katherine Niccolls.She moved to Napa in 1929 and attended Napa High where she was a cheerleader and graduated in 1935. She married John Franco on Oct. 23, 1937 and she and John owned and operated Franco’s Market from 1957 to 1974 while raising five sons, all of whom also worked at the market.
A loving and dedicated mother, “Ellie” remained active in the lives of her children and their families throughout her later years, and they, in turn, cherished the time they spent with her. She was a devoted Catholic and worshipped at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
In retirement, Ellie remained an active fan of local high school sports, dabbled in the game of golf, enjoyed weekend trips to Lake Tahoe and Reno, and traveled cross-country to New England, New York, Washington DC, Virginia and to Hawaii on four separate occasions. But Napa was her home and her family was always foremost in her life.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, John A. Franco; her sister, Dorothy Critchley of Napa; her sons, Ross (Suzanne) of Oakland, Jim (Lynn) of Buffalo, Mo., Les (Marsha) of Napa, Vic (Barbara) of Napa, and Bob (Angela) of Honolulu, Hawaii. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, Thomas (Devon), David (Sonia), John (Nicola), Peter (Sunita), Ann Marie (Wes Scribner), Paul, Deborah, Dinnies Butler, Dejean Eggers, Marcus, Mindy (Rudy Beasley), Matt (Carolyn), Alynda (Matt Davis), Karen, Miguel and Maria. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, Kylie and Owen Scribner, Jessica and Alex Butler, Sean Eggers, Jaden, Jordan, and Kaia Beasley, and Zachary and Lucas Franco.
She is predeceased by three sisters, Elizabeth Raneri, Marsha Jaeger and Kay Ahlswede; and one brother, Charles Niccolls.
A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, with a reception at the St. John’s Hall following interment. A viewing will be held Tuesday, Nov. 20, 4-7 p.m., followed by a rosary at Richard Pierce Funeral Service, 1660 Silverado Trail, Napa. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. John the Baptist Church. Friends may offer their condolences to the family on-line at www.rpfsc.com.
2 comments:
It was a tremedous lost for our family and we will all miss Grandma. For the time I got to know her, she was kind, warm, strong, and everything you could look for in a Grandma. Her inspiration has made me even more proud to be a Franco. She will be kept in my prayers. Thanks for the post Anne.
Anne Marie, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's really hard to lose a grandparent. She sounds like she was a wonderful woman.
Post a Comment