Grace Louise Franklin
We are heartbroken to share that our very own angel, Grace Louise Franklin (née Blackman) of Preston, New York ascended to heaven on April 20th, 2021.
Born during the height of the Great Depression on July 30th, 1934 in Norwich, New York, Grace was the 10th of 11 children born to William Blackman and Ceta (Cobb) Blackman. She often shared the story of how when she was born, she was so very tiny and premature that her mother kept her in a shoe box next to the stove to keep her warm.
Grace attended and graduated from Norwich High School and on September 2nd, 1955 she married the love of her life, Leon Devilo Franklin. Over the years, Grace was a member of the Pharsalia Fire Department Auxiliary and loved volunteering her time at Pharsalia Days. She was employed by Gladding and Classic Pharmaceuticals before eventually retiring from The Mid York Press. Even though she left the workforce, her work never really ended, as she was a true "busy-body" who could never seem to sit still. Later in life, Grace moved off the homestead on One Eye Street in North Pharsalia into Golden Age Apartments, where she enjoyed time with both new and old friends. After several years, Grace moved to Preston Manor, where she was blessed to spend her last several years with her dear sisters Helen and June.
It is very difficult to put into words the lasting impact that Grace has had on our lives. She was, quite literally, the most wonderful person anyone could ever have the pleasure of knowing and the very heart and soul of our family. She lost her own mother at a very young age, and because of this, she valued and cared for her family above all else. She loved hard, and whenever she hugged you, she squeezed so hard and for so long it literally felt like she was never letting go. While she loved her family more than anything, it is no secret that she loved being the fun-loving Grandma Grace to "her little boys" most of all.
Grace never had a lot of money or material possessions, but her humble mindset and positive approach to life never showed that she went without anything. She was most grateful for everything she had and was a shining example of the kind of person we all want to be. She was always lending a hand to someone, even well into her 80's when her health prevented her from doing all of the things she wanted to do. Her and Stub were true homebodies, so later in life when the opportunity to travel came about, she was absolutely thrilled to be able to venture out on a road trip to Indiana with family, explore the Big Apple with her great friend Jim, enjoy the beach for the first time in South Carolina, and visit her great niece Kara in Boston.
She was the baker of THE BEST donuts, fried dough, pancakes, and apple pies. Also well-known for her orangeade, popcorn balls, turnip and cheese casserole, and Spanish rice, she loved to be in her big country kitchen and was the true definition of a "pioneer woman" in the 20th century. Grace and Stub had their own huge vegetable gardens and canned as much of their food as possible. She loved spending time in the woods with Stub and other family members, cutting cord upon cord of firewood to keep them warm during the long Pharsalia winters. Grace knew her way around a sewing machine as well, always mending clothing or sewing blankets to give as gifts to her loved ones. She also loved dancing to her favorite country music, camping, and the color yellow, collected all things "duck," loved hosting family and holiday dinners, and enjoyed having good friends over for games of pitch. She especially loved the thrill of riding the mule with her sisters and "baby" brother Leslie. We are forever thankful for the time we had with our girl and will carry on in just the manner she would want us to-- with a toast of her favorite red wine! Grace is survived by her brother Leslie (Joyce) Blackman, sister June Manwarren, daughters Ceta Whaley and Alice (Richard) Thompson, granddaughters Christi Stone (Tim Button), Nicole Thompson, and Logan Thompson (Justin Lindenthaler), great granddaughter Shelby Stone and great grandsons Devin Stone, Nicholas Stone, Harlan Romaine, and Thatcher Romaine. She is also survived by her wonderful friend Jim Burchill, and by many nieces, nephews, and great friends.
Grace was predeceased by her mother and father, in-law's Ray and Alice (Sheldon) Franklin, husband Leon (Stub) Franklin, brothers and sisters-in-law Carl and Mary Blackman, Leonard and Doris Blackman, Fred and Bertha Blackman, Lester and Bonnie Blackman, and Arthur Blackman, sisters and brothers-in law Helen and Ray Markham, Doris and Dick Crandall, and Myrtle and Ed Horton, sisters in law, Rosie Franklin and Julia (Franklin) Smith and brothers-in law Llewellyn Smith and Stewart Manwarren. She was also predeceased by grandson-in law, Justin Stone and son-in-law Jeff Whaley.
From the bottoms of our hearts, we wish to thank the wonderful staff at both Preston Manor and UHS Senior Living for their loving, genuine care for Grace over the last several years.
Friends and family are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 28th from 10 to 12. A funeral service will immediately follow with burial on a later date. Grace had a great distaste for the color black, so please wear yellow or a bright color if you have it! Out of concern for all and in accordance with public health guidelines, masks are required. In honor of Grace's legacy and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pharsalia Fire Company at PO Box 41, East Pharsalia, NY 13758.
We are heartbroken to share that our very own angel, Grace Louise Franklin (née Blackman) of Preston, New York ascended to heaven on April 20th, 2021.
Born during the height of the Great Depression on July 30th, 1934 in Norwich, New York, Grace was the 10th of 11 children born to William Blackman and Ceta (Cobb) Blackman. She often shared the story of how when she was born, she was so very tiny and premature that her mother kept her in a shoe box next to the stove to keep her warm.
Grace attended and graduated from Norwich High School and on September 2nd, 1955 she married the love of her life, Leon Devilo Franklin. Over the years, Grace was a member of the Pharsalia Fire Department Auxiliary and loved volunteering her time at Pharsalia Days. She was employed by Gladding and Classic Pharmaceuticals before eventually retiring from The Mid York Press. Even though she left the workforce, her work never really ended, as she was a true "busy-body" who could never seem to sit still. Later in life, Grace moved off the homestead on One Eye Street in North Pharsalia into Golden Age Apartments, where she enjoyed time with both new and old friends. After several years, Grace moved to Preston Manor, where she was blessed to spend her last several years with her dear sisters Helen and June.
It is very difficult to put into words the lasting impact that Grace has had on our lives. She was, quite literally, the most wonderful person anyone could ever have the pleasure of knowing and the very heart and soul of our family. She lost her own mother at a very young age, and because of this, she valued and cared for her family above all else. She loved hard, and whenever she hugged you, she squeezed so hard and for so long it literally felt like she was never letting go. While she loved her family more than anything, it is no secret that she loved being the fun-loving Grandma Grace to "her little boys" most of all.
Grace never had a lot of money or material possessions, but her humble mindset and positive approach to life never showed that she went without anything. She was most grateful for everything she had and was a shining example of the kind of person we all want to be. She was always lending a hand to someone, even well into her 80's when her health prevented her from doing all of the things she wanted to do. Her and Stub were true homebodies, so later in life when the opportunity to travel came about, she was absolutely thrilled to be able to venture out on a road trip to Indiana with family, explore the Big Apple with her great friend Jim, enjoy the beach for the first time in South Carolina, and visit her great niece Kara in Boston.
She was the baker of THE BEST donuts, fried dough, pancakes, and apple pies. Also well-known for her orangeade, popcorn balls, turnip and cheese casserole, and Spanish rice, she loved to be in her big country kitchen and was the true definition of a "pioneer woman" in the 20th century. Grace and Stub had their own huge vegetable gardens and canned as much of their food as possible. She loved spending time in the woods with Stub and other family members, cutting cord upon cord of firewood to keep them warm during the long Pharsalia winters. Grace knew her way around a sewing machine as well, always mending clothing or sewing blankets to give as gifts to her loved ones. She also loved dancing to her favorite country music, camping, and the color yellow, collected all things "duck," loved hosting family and holiday dinners, and enjoyed having good friends over for games of pitch. She especially loved the thrill of riding the mule with her sisters and "baby" brother Leslie. We are forever thankful for the time we had with our girl and will carry on in just the manner she would want us to-- with a toast of her favorite red wine! Grace is survived by her brother Leslie (Joyce) Blackman, sister June Manwarren, daughters Ceta Whaley and Alice (Richard) Thompson, granddaughters Christi Stone (Tim Button), Nicole Thompson, and Logan Thompson (Justin Lindenthaler), great granddaughter Shelby Stone and great grandsons Devin Stone, Nicholas Stone, Harlan Romaine, and Thatcher Romaine. She is also survived by her wonderful friend Jim Burchill, and by many nieces, nephews, and great friends.
Grace was predeceased by her mother and father, in-law's Ray and Alice (Sheldon) Franklin, husband Leon (Stub) Franklin, brothers and sisters-in-law Carl and Mary Blackman, Leonard and Doris Blackman, Fred and Bertha Blackman, Lester and Bonnie Blackman, and Arthur Blackman, sisters and brothers-in law Helen and Ray Markham, Doris and Dick Crandall, and Myrtle and Ed Horton, sisters in law, Rosie Franklin and Julia (Franklin) Smith and brothers-in law Llewellyn Smith and Stewart Manwarren. She was also predeceased by grandson-in law, Justin Stone and son-in-law Jeff Whaley.
From the bottoms of our hearts, we wish to thank the wonderful staff at both Preston Manor and UHS Senior Living for their loving, genuine care for Grace over the last several years.
Friends and family are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 28th from 10 to 12. A funeral service will immediately follow with burial on a later date. Grace had a great distaste for the color black, so please wear yellow or a bright color if you have it! Out of concern for all and in accordance with public health guidelines, masks are required. In honor of Grace's legacy and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pharsalia Fire Company at PO Box 41, East Pharsalia, NY 13758.
Grace Louise Franklin
We are heartbroken to share that our very own angel, Grace Louise Franklin (née Blackman) of Preston, New York ascended to heaven on April 20th, 2021.
Born during the height of the Great Depression on July 30th, 1934 in Norwich, New York, Grace was the 10th of 11 children born to William Blackman and Ceta (Cobb) Blackman. She often shared the story of how when she was born, she was so very tiny and premature that her mother kept her in a shoe box next to the stove to keep her warm.
Grace attended and graduated from Norwich High School and on September 2nd, 1955 she married the love of her life, Leon Devilo Franklin. Over the years, Grace was a member of the Pharsalia Fire Department Auxiliary and loved volunteering her time at Pharsalia Days. She was employed by Gladding and Classic Pharmaceuticals before eventually retiring from The Mid York Press. Even though she left the workforce, her work never really ended, as she was a true "busy-body" who could never seem to sit still. Later in life, Grace moved off the homestead on One Eye Street in North Pharsalia into Golden Age Apartments, where she enjoyed time with both new and old friends. After several years, Grace moved to Preston Manor, where she was blessed to spend her last several years with her dear sisters Helen and June.
It is very difficult to put into words the lasting impact that Grace has had on our lives. She was, quite literally, the most wonderful person anyone could ever have the pleasure of knowing and the very heart and soul of our family. She lost her own mother at a very young age, and because of this, she valued and cared for her family above all else. She loved hard, and whenever she hugged you, she squeezed so hard and for so long it literally felt like she was never letting go. While she loved her family more than anything, it is no secret that she loved being the fun-loving Grandma Grace to "her little boys" most of all.
Grace never had a lot of money or material possessions, but her humble mindset and positive approach to life never showed that she went without anything. She was most grateful for everything she had and was a shining example of the kind of person we all want to be. She was always lending a hand to someone, even well into her 80's when her health prevented her from doing all of the things she wanted to do. Her and Stub were true homebodies, so later in life when the opportunity to travel came about, she was absolutely thrilled to be able to venture out on a road trip to Indiana with family, explore the Big Apple with her great friend Jim, enjoy the beach for the first time in South Carolina, and visit her great niece Kara in Boston.
She was the baker of THE BEST donuts, fried dough, pancakes, and apple pies. Also well-known for her orangeade, popcorn balls, turnip and cheese casserole, and Spanish rice, she loved to be in her big country kitchen and was the true definition of a "pioneer woman" in the 20th century. Grace and Stub had their own huge vegetable gardens and canned as much of their food as possible. She loved spending time in the woods with Stub and other family members, cutting cord upon cord of firewood to keep them warm during the long Pharsalia winters. Grace knew her way around a sewing machine as well, always mending clothing or sewing blankets to give as gifts to her loved ones. She also loved dancing to her favorite country music, camping, and the color yellow, collected all things "duck," loved hosting family and holiday dinners, and enjoyed having good friends over for games of pitch. She especially loved the thrill of riding the mule with her sisters and "baby" brother Leslie. We are forever thankful for the time we had with our girl and will carry on in just the manner she would want us to-- with a toast of her favorite red wine! Grace is survived by her brother Leslie (Joyce) Blackman, sister June Manwarren, daughters Ceta Whaley and Alice (Richard) Thompson, granddaughters Christi Stone (Tim Button), Nicole Thompson, and Logan Thompson (Justin Lindenthaler), great granddaughter Shelby Stone and great grandsons Devin Stone, Nicholas Stone, Harlan Romaine, and Thatcher Romaine. She is also survived by her wonderful friend Jim Burchill, and by many nieces, nephews, and great friends.
Grace was predeceased by her mother and father, in-law's Ray and Alice (Sheldon) Franklin, husband Leon (Stub) Franklin, brothers and sisters-in-law Carl and Mary Blackman, Leonard and Doris Blackman, Fred and Bertha Blackman, Lester and Bonnie Blackman, and Arthur Blackman, sisters and brothers-in law Helen and Ray Markham, Doris and Dick Crandall, and Myrtle and Ed Horton, sisters in law, Rosie Franklin and Julia (Franklin) Smith and brothers-in law Llewellyn Smith and Stewart Manwarren. She was also predeceased by grandson-in law, Justin Stone and son-in-law Jeff Whaley.
From the bottoms of our hearts, we wish to thank the wonderful staff at both Preston Manor and UHS Senior Living for their loving, genuine care for Grace over the last several years.
Friends and family are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 28th from 10 to 12. A funeral service will immediately follow with burial on a later date. Grace had a great distaste for the color black, so please wear yellow or a bright color if you have it! Out of concern for all and in accordance with public health guidelines, masks are required. In honor of Grace's legacy and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pharsalia Fire Company at PO Box 41, East Pharsalia, NY 13758.
We are heartbroken to share that our very own angel, Grace Louise Franklin (née Blackman) of Preston, New York ascended to heaven on April 20th, 2021.
Born during the height of the Great Depression on July 30th, 1934 in Norwich, New York, Grace was the 10th of 11 children born to William Blackman and Ceta (Cobb) Blackman. She often shared the story of how when she was born, she was so very tiny and premature that her mother kept her in a shoe box next to the stove to keep her warm.
Grace attended and graduated from Norwich High School and on September 2nd, 1955 she married the love of her life, Leon Devilo Franklin. Over the years, Grace was a member of the Pharsalia Fire Department Auxiliary and loved volunteering her time at Pharsalia Days. She was employed by Gladding and Classic Pharmaceuticals before eventually retiring from The Mid York Press. Even though she left the workforce, her work never really ended, as she was a true "busy-body" who could never seem to sit still. Later in life, Grace moved off the homestead on One Eye Street in North Pharsalia into Golden Age Apartments, where she enjoyed time with both new and old friends. After several years, Grace moved to Preston Manor, where she was blessed to spend her last several years with her dear sisters Helen and June.
It is very difficult to put into words the lasting impact that Grace has had on our lives. She was, quite literally, the most wonderful person anyone could ever have the pleasure of knowing and the very heart and soul of our family. She lost her own mother at a very young age, and because of this, she valued and cared for her family above all else. She loved hard, and whenever she hugged you, she squeezed so hard and for so long it literally felt like she was never letting go. While she loved her family more than anything, it is no secret that she loved being the fun-loving Grandma Grace to "her little boys" most of all.
Grace never had a lot of money or material possessions, but her humble mindset and positive approach to life never showed that she went without anything. She was most grateful for everything she had and was a shining example of the kind of person we all want to be. She was always lending a hand to someone, even well into her 80's when her health prevented her from doing all of the things she wanted to do. Her and Stub were true homebodies, so later in life when the opportunity to travel came about, she was absolutely thrilled to be able to venture out on a road trip to Indiana with family, explore the Big Apple with her great friend Jim, enjoy the beach for the first time in South Carolina, and visit her great niece Kara in Boston.
She was the baker of THE BEST donuts, fried dough, pancakes, and apple pies. Also well-known for her orangeade, popcorn balls, turnip and cheese casserole, and Spanish rice, she loved to be in her big country kitchen and was the true definition of a "pioneer woman" in the 20th century. Grace and Stub had their own huge vegetable gardens and canned as much of their food as possible. She loved spending time in the woods with Stub and other family members, cutting cord upon cord of firewood to keep them warm during the long Pharsalia winters. Grace knew her way around a sewing machine as well, always mending clothing or sewing blankets to give as gifts to her loved ones. She also loved dancing to her favorite country music, camping, and the color yellow, collected all things "duck," loved hosting family and holiday dinners, and enjoyed having good friends over for games of pitch. She especially loved the thrill of riding the mule with her sisters and "baby" brother Leslie. We are forever thankful for the time we had with our girl and will carry on in just the manner she would want us to-- with a toast of her favorite red wine! Grace is survived by her brother Leslie (Joyce) Blackman, sister June Manwarren, daughters Ceta Whaley and Alice (Richard) Thompson, granddaughters Christi Stone (Tim Button), Nicole Thompson, and Logan Thompson (Justin Lindenthaler), great granddaughter Shelby Stone and great grandsons Devin Stone, Nicholas Stone, Harlan Romaine, and Thatcher Romaine. She is also survived by her wonderful friend Jim Burchill, and by many nieces, nephews, and great friends.
Grace was predeceased by her mother and father, in-law's Ray and Alice (Sheldon) Franklin, husband Leon (Stub) Franklin, brothers and sisters-in-law Carl and Mary Blackman, Leonard and Doris Blackman, Fred and Bertha Blackman, Lester and Bonnie Blackman, and Arthur Blackman, sisters and brothers-in law Helen and Ray Markham, Doris and Dick Crandall, and Myrtle and Ed Horton, sisters in law, Rosie Franklin and Julia (Franklin) Smith and brothers-in law Llewellyn Smith and Stewart Manwarren. She was also predeceased by grandson-in law, Justin Stone and son-in-law Jeff Whaley.
From the bottoms of our hearts, we wish to thank the wonderful staff at both Preston Manor and UHS Senior Living for their loving, genuine care for Grace over the last several years.
Friends and family are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 28th from 10 to 12. A funeral service will immediately follow with burial on a later date. Grace had a great distaste for the color black, so please wear yellow or a bright color if you have it! Out of concern for all and in accordance with public health guidelines, masks are required. In honor of Grace's legacy and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pharsalia Fire Company at PO Box 41, East Pharsalia, NY 13758.
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
