NORWICH – Frances G. Franklin, 86, of Norwich, passed away late Sunday evening, Feb. 6, 2011, at her home.
Born in Preston in Nov. of 1924, the daughter of Claude and Mildred Darling Franklin, Frances grew up locally and was a graduate of the Norwich High School. She and her husband of 47 years, Clayton E. “Whistle” Franklin, were married in Preston on June 8, 1944. In the mid-1950s, Frances and Whistle acquired their farm on Manley Road, and Frances did her part in the day-to-day operation of the farm. Concurrently, she attended to raising her children and also worked outside her home, for the Halfway House and for GLA and its successors, Simmonds Precision and Unison. A loving and caring lady who always put the needs of others ahead of her own, Frances was an avid fan of the New York Yankees. “Oh, whatever” was her usual answer to questions, but it was “don’t bother me now” when it was time for her favorite soap, “The Young and the Restless.”
Frances is survived by her daughters and their spouses: Carol and Donald Moore and Valerie and Lawrence Bates Jr., all of Norwich; her brother, Roy Franklin and his companion, Judy Harrington of Norwich; and her grandchildren and their spouses: Scott and Marty Moore of Norwich, Karen and Brett Covey of North Carolina, Matthew and Kerry Moore of Albany, Katie Bates Jipson and Sgt. Jason Jipson of the USMC, Maryland, Evan Bates and fiancee Mallory Carhart of McDonough, and Taylor and Carly Bates of Norwich. Also surviving are great grandchildren Molly and Shannon Moore, Hannah, Madison, and Wyatt Covey, James Moore, Blake Jipson, Mirrah Stewart, and Audrey Bates; her sisters-in-law, Christina Franklin and Janet Franklin, both of Norwich; nieces and nephews; and Frances’s special friend, Nancy Smith of Otego. Frances was predeceased by her husband, Whistle, on Aug. 16, 1991; by her son, Leonard Franklin; and her sisters, Lola Bouse, and Lucy Law.
It was Frances’ wish that there be no formal service or calling hours. A celebration of her life will be held in the spring of 2011. Interment will be in the J.D. Lewis Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the J.D. Lewis Cemetery, c/o Treasurer, 310 Manley Rd., Norwich, NY 13815; or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.