Frances Franzak - Obituary

rances Anne Underwood Franzak (87) a resident of Marian Assisted Living, Brookeville, MD, peacefully passed away on September 1, 2017. Born August 6, 1930, in Newton Grove, N.C. to the late Ada Douglas Royal and Bernard M. Underwood, Sr. she grew up in College Park, Md. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, George Franzak, Sr., three brothers, Henry M. Underwood of St. Mary’s County, Bernard M. Underwood, Jr., Conway, S.C., William T. Underwood, Pacific Palisades, CA. She is survived by three daughters, Dianne F. Jimmink, Joyce F. Cox(Joe) and Mary Ellen Howell(Scott) and three sons, Scott G. Franzak (Donna), Joseph K. Franzak (Becky), and George (Chip) F. Franzak (Beth), fifteen grandchildren, and her brother, Carroll D. Underwood, Newton Grove, N.C. A homemaker for much of her life, she returned to the work force in September 1970 as Coordinator of Religious Education for High School students at St. Joseph’s Church in Beltsville, Md. In 1974, she began working at the University of Maryland, College Park. She retired from Professional Writing Program, College of Arts & Humanities, University of Maryland, in May 1994. In 1988, she the first recipient of the Award for Outstanding Service to the College of Arts and Humanities. In 1991 she graduated Cum Laude with a BS degree from the University of Maryland all while being a wife, mother, full time employee and volunteer. During her lifetime, she was an active volunteer in many organizations. She was as an officer of several PTA’s, delivered Meals on Wheels, recorded books on tape for University of Maryland visually impaired students, assisted students in the Writing Center at University of Maryland, staffed the Angel Tree for Salvation Army. Volunteer assistant in the Library of St. Pius Catholic School in Bowie, served on the Board of Caring Network in Heritage Harbour, helped edit Heritage Harbour News and was active in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Crofton, serving for many as Eucharist Minister to the sick and homebound of the parish. In addition to her volunteer activities, she enjoyed taking classes through Anne Arundel Community College, reading, traveling, sewing and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Anne's life on Thursday, September 7, 2017 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037. A Memorial Mass will be offered on Friday, September 8, 2017 at 10 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Crofton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or online https://alzfdn.org/ or Little Sisters of the Poor, 601 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore, MD 21228 or online at http://www.littlesistersofthepoorbaltimore.org/