In Memory
Frances M Williams,78, passed away suddenly at her home on Aug 8th in Fort Wayne, IN. She was born in Chicago, July 25, 1946 to Frank and Lois Krandell. After graduating from Fort Wayne South Side HS, Fran earned her Purdue University BS and MS in Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) and was employed by Parkview Memorial Hospital for 25 years, 17 of these as Director of Parkview’s CLS program.
Fran served as an avid volunteer all her life. Matthew 25 Health Care, Philharmonic Friends, Philanthropic Education Organization, and Tri Kappa were her conduits of care, scholarship, hospitality, and charity to the community. She was honored as the 1996 Tri Kappa Woman of the Year. Her musical talent was poured out as a life-long piano accompanist, choir member, and cellist.
At Aldersgate UMC, Fran was involved as a Seekers small group leader, Circle chair, and, especially close to her heart, Angel Tree.
Fran loved her family deeply. Her young grandkids eagerly anticipated Grandma arriving with her games, books, and cooler full of meals and goodies. She and Grandpa came to their sports, ceremonies, concerts, and shows. As they grew into adults, she learned their tech-savvy ways to keep connected and cool. She left them a legacy of faith, fun, and unconditional love.
Memorials may be made to https://www.rls.org/
Michael W. Young
Our prayers and thoughts go out to the entire Williams family for the loss of one of the great persons that stepped onto this world. Fran accompanied me on piano for my many trumpet contests at SSHS and trumpet juries at Ball State over many years. Fran had written me recently about the time that I came back to Ft. Wayne for a break and I ask if she had the time to go through a new 12 tone piece with a very strange trumpet part. After looking at what was to transpire, she jumped into work and mastered it in minutes, as she always did. When we had gone through the composition, Fran shook her head about the musical direction the piece took. She commented to the fact that "you go away to college and come back with this?"....."it makes me feel old". We always had fun while working through many musical pieces. She was the best. In truth, Fran saved me on many compositions with her professional skills on the piano and her deep musical knowledge. Fran, within the past couple of years, has taken a liking to my wife's macro photography prints and expressed a desire to get some of them. Barb, after finding out she wanted somethings in a blue tint, she sent her some to enjoy. The world is just a little more empty today with the loss of Fran. God Bless Fran and her entire family.
James H. McMahan
I'm sorry to hear about Fran's passing. I knew her at SS but didn't realize she was an accomplished pianist, too, in addition to her work on the cello. I played in the SS orchestra with her for four years and she always had her part down pat. It sounds like she went on to be a leader in the laboratory, too.
Edward A. Kimble
Fran was special. )was my lab parrtner in college organic chemistry. We blew up a lot of stuff (just kidding) She taught me several board games in HS, which I havve long forgotten. Wrote Marge Shirley and I a Christmas card every year. I was told at age six that I wouldn't live past age ten, had an always fatal disease. Ironic and a bit scary that I should outlive anyone, let alone Fran and Marge. Loved them both. Sitting here crying.
Alan Ferber
I knew Fran from 7th grade through high school. She was one of the quiet ones who got things done without fanfare in her schoolwork, music, and other pursuits. She chose an interesting profession, enabling her to combine her scientific talent with the ability to help people in a concrete way. She was a gifted and thoroughly decent human being who will be greatly missed.
Beverly J. Flanigan
Fran was fun, and funny, and gifted. I'm sorry to learn of her death and want to share my condolences with her family and friends.
Susan K. Smith (Terry)
Fran & I reconnected through the reunion & then continued with Facebook. In fact our last communication was just before she passed away. She was such a good person. I will miss our messages back & forth. My condolences to her family.
Sherry Spencer (Foster)
Still thinking about you, Fran, & our phone conversations. Little did I know then how much they meant. With fond memories and much admiration. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Sherry
Edward A. Kimble
Fran was both a good friend and a great help. She was my lab partner in organic chemistry in college, taught me how to play cribbage, and later in life was a gracious hostess at her home to Margaret Shirley Kimble and myself. She was smart as a whip, tolerated numerous lab explosions from the bench behind us and helped keep me from a few explosions of my own misdoings.. Because of numerous childhood health issues, I never dreamed I would outlive Margaret or Fran. It just doesn't seem right or fair. If the universe is tolerant enough to entertain some group of small furry human creatures to some sort of afterlife, I would strongly recommend both women for such a privilege. They were a wonderful power for good in this world.