Regina (Rae) Francis, of Beacon Hill, Brownsville, Pa., died Tuesday, January 10, 2006, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her daughters, Pamela and Samantha were at her side.
She was born and raised in Marianna, Pa., moving to Brownsville, Pa., when she married.
Mrs. Francis was a woman of many accomplishments. A high school honor student, during World War II she was a quality inspector of submarine gauges at the Sperry-Gyroscope Defense Plant in Brooklyn, New York. Her first daughter was born during the war while her husband flew bombing missions for the United States Army Air Corps in Italy.
A pioneer in many respects, Mrs. Francis was one of the first married women with children to enroll at California State Teachers College (now California University of PA) in the mid-1950's. At the recommendation of the Dean, she accepted a scholarship for full-time study. She completed four years of course work and student teaching in two years and nine months, graduating with honors.
She was thrilled to accept her first teaching position as a kindergarten teacher at the Marianna Grade School she attended as a child. A gifted teacher, Mrs. Francis said that she could not believe she was paid to do something she loved so much.
After that first year, she joined the Brownsville School System for the remainder of her career, teaching second grade at Prospect School for many years. She went on to positions of reading specialist, guidance counselor, school psychologist and finally coordinator of the school system's Title I Program, retiring in 1989.
She is remembered by many parents and former students for her ability to bring out the best in students, especially those with learning difficulties. She and one other Pennsylvania teacher shared the Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship Award for outstanding teaching in 1961-1962.
Her graduate work was done at the University of Pittsburgh where as a graduate assistant she earned a Masters in Education in school psychology. Part of her practical training was at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and at Shadyside Academy.
Throughout her professional career she continued to nurture her family and excel as a cook and baker, creating wonderful holiday meals for her family and friends.
Other interest including reading, gardening, restoring furniture, dancing, 1940's music, the stock market, the seashore and her beloved grandson.
She traveled many times to Europe including a trip to her husband's ancestral home in Italy.
Over the years, she and her husband, Samuel, were members of the Historic Church of Saint Peter, Nemacolin Country Club and Supporters of BARC and other local organizations.
Mrs. Francis was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Samuel N. Francis, who died in 1995. Dr. Francis, a Brownsville Native, had a long career as an educator in the Brownsville Area School System and at the University of Pittsburgh. An annual school law symposium at Pitt is named in his honor. He was also an accomplished musician, known for playing the clarinet and saxophone with local orchestras.
Surviving are daughters: Pamela Kiehl, a foreign service officer with the United States Department of State, and Samantha Flynn, an attorney; grandson, Simon Flynn, a junior at Colgate University in New York, their husbands, William P. Kiehl and William M. Flynn, as well as, many nieces, nephews, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and members of her husband's family.
Visitors will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, Pa., from 7 to 9 p.m. this evening, January 13, 2006. At the request of the deceased, there will be no viewing.
A Prayer Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in the Historic Church of Saint Peter with the Rev. Father Vincent Gigliotti as Celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Samuel Francis/Richard Wynn Scholarship Fund at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. Contributions may be mailed to: University of Pittsburgh, Office Institutional Advancement, 500 Craig Hall, 200 S. Craig Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260. Make checks payable to the University of Pittsburgh designated for the Francis/Wynn Scholarship Fund, School of Education on the memo line.
She was born and raised in Marianna, Pa., moving to Brownsville, Pa., when she married.
Mrs. Francis was a woman of many accomplishments. A high school honor student, during World War II she was a quality inspector of submarine gauges at the Sperry-Gyroscope Defense Plant in Brooklyn, New York. Her first daughter was born during the war while her husband flew bombing missions for the United States Army Air Corps in Italy.
A pioneer in many respects, Mrs. Francis was one of the first married women with children to enroll at California State Teachers College (now California University of PA) in the mid-1950's. At the recommendation of the Dean, she accepted a scholarship for full-time study. She completed four years of course work and student teaching in two years and nine months, graduating with honors.
She was thrilled to accept her first teaching position as a kindergarten teacher at the Marianna Grade School she attended as a child. A gifted teacher, Mrs. Francis said that she could not believe she was paid to do something she loved so much.
After that first year, she joined the Brownsville School System for the remainder of her career, teaching second grade at Prospect School for many years. She went on to positions of reading specialist, guidance counselor, school psychologist and finally coordinator of the school system's Title I Program, retiring in 1989.
She is remembered by many parents and former students for her ability to bring out the best in students, especially those with learning difficulties. She and one other Pennsylvania teacher shared the Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship Award for outstanding teaching in 1961-1962.
Her graduate work was done at the University of Pittsburgh where as a graduate assistant she earned a Masters in Education in school psychology. Part of her practical training was at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and at Shadyside Academy.
Throughout her professional career she continued to nurture her family and excel as a cook and baker, creating wonderful holiday meals for her family and friends.
Other interest including reading, gardening, restoring furniture, dancing, 1940's music, the stock market, the seashore and her beloved grandson.
She traveled many times to Europe including a trip to her husband's ancestral home in Italy.
Over the years, she and her husband, Samuel, were members of the Historic Church of Saint Peter, Nemacolin Country Club and Supporters of BARC and other local organizations.
Mrs. Francis was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Samuel N. Francis, who died in 1995. Dr. Francis, a Brownsville Native, had a long career as an educator in the Brownsville Area School System and at the University of Pittsburgh. An annual school law symposium at Pitt is named in his honor. He was also an accomplished musician, known for playing the clarinet and saxophone with local orchestras.
Surviving are daughters: Pamela Kiehl, a foreign service officer with the United States Department of State, and Samantha Flynn, an attorney; grandson, Simon Flynn, a junior at Colgate University in New York, their husbands, William P. Kiehl and William M. Flynn, as well as, many nieces, nephews, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and members of her husband's family.
Visitors will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, Pa., from 7 to 9 p.m. this evening, January 13, 2006. At the request of the deceased, there will be no viewing.
A Prayer Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in the Historic Church of Saint Peter with the Rev. Father Vincent Gigliotti as Celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Samuel Francis/Richard Wynn Scholarship Fund at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. Contributions may be mailed to: University of Pittsburgh, Office Institutional Advancement, 500 Craig Hall, 200 S. Craig Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260. Make checks payable to the University of Pittsburgh designated for the Francis/Wynn Scholarship Fund, School of Education on the memo line.
Regina (Rae) Francis, of Beacon Hill, Brownsville, Pa., died Tuesday, January 10, 2006, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her daughters, Pamela and Samantha were at her side.
She was born and raised in Marianna, Pa., moving to Brownsville, Pa., when she married.
Mrs. Francis was a woman of many accomplishments. A high school honor student, during World War II she was a quality inspector of submarine gauges at the Sperry-Gyroscope Defense Plant in Brooklyn, New York. Her first daughter was born during the war while her husband flew bombing missions for the United States Army Air Corps in Italy.
A pioneer in many respects, Mrs. Francis was one of the first married women with children to enroll at California State Teachers College (now California University of PA) in the mid-1950's. At the recommendation of the Dean, she accepted a scholarship for full-time study. She completed four years of course work and student teaching in two years and nine months, graduating with honors.
She was thrilled to accept her first teaching position as a kindergarten teacher at the Marianna Grade School she attended as a child. A gifted teacher, Mrs. Francis said that she could not believe she was paid to do something she loved so much.
After that first year, she joined the Brownsville School System for the remainder of her career, teaching second grade at Prospect School for many years. She went on to positions of reading specialist, guidance counselor, school psychologist and finally coordinator of the school system's Title I Program, retiring in 1989.
She is remembered by many parents and former students for her ability to bring out the best in students, especially those with learning difficulties. She and one other Pennsylvania teacher shared the Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship Award for outstanding teaching in 1961-1962.
Her graduate work was done at the University of Pittsburgh where as a graduate assistant she earned a Masters in Education in school psychology. Part of her practical training was at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and at Shadyside Academy.
Throughout her professional career she continued to nurture her family and excel as a cook and baker, creating wonderful holiday meals for her family and friends.
Other interest including reading, gardening, restoring furniture, dancing, 1940's music, the stock market, the seashore and her beloved grandson.
She traveled many times to Europe including a trip to her husband's ancestral home in Italy.
Over the years, she and her husband, Samuel, were members of the Historic Church of Saint Peter, Nemacolin Country Club and Supporters of BARC and other local organizations.
Mrs. Francis was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Samuel N. Francis, who died in 1995. Dr. Francis, a Brownsville Native, had a long career as an educator in the Brownsville Area School System and at the University of Pittsburgh. An annual school law symposium at Pitt is named in his honor. He was also an accomplished musician, known for playing the clarinet and saxophone with local orchestras.
Surviving are daughters: Pamela Kiehl, a foreign service officer with the United States Department of State, and Samantha Flynn, an attorney; grandson, Simon Flynn, a junior at Colgate University in New York, their husbands, William P. Kiehl and William M. Flynn, as well as, many nieces, nephews, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and members of her husband's family.
Visitors will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, Pa., from 7 to 9 p.m. this evening, January 13, 2006. At the request of the deceased, there will be no viewing.
A Prayer Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in the Historic Church of Saint Peter with the Rev. Father Vincent Gigliotti as Celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Samuel Francis/Richard Wynn Scholarship Fund at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. Contributions may be mailed to: University of Pittsburgh, Office Institutional Advancement, 500 Craig Hall, 200 S. Craig Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260. Make checks payable to the University of Pittsburgh designated for the Francis/Wynn Scholarship Fund, School of Education on the memo line.
She was born and raised in Marianna, Pa., moving to Brownsville, Pa., when she married.
Mrs. Francis was a woman of many accomplishments. A high school honor student, during World War II she was a quality inspector of submarine gauges at the Sperry-Gyroscope Defense Plant in Brooklyn, New York. Her first daughter was born during the war while her husband flew bombing missions for the United States Army Air Corps in Italy.
A pioneer in many respects, Mrs. Francis was one of the first married women with children to enroll at California State Teachers College (now California University of PA) in the mid-1950's. At the recommendation of the Dean, she accepted a scholarship for full-time study. She completed four years of course work and student teaching in two years and nine months, graduating with honors.
She was thrilled to accept her first teaching position as a kindergarten teacher at the Marianna Grade School she attended as a child. A gifted teacher, Mrs. Francis said that she could not believe she was paid to do something she loved so much.
After that first year, she joined the Brownsville School System for the remainder of her career, teaching second grade at Prospect School for many years. She went on to positions of reading specialist, guidance counselor, school psychologist and finally coordinator of the school system's Title I Program, retiring in 1989.
She is remembered by many parents and former students for her ability to bring out the best in students, especially those with learning difficulties. She and one other Pennsylvania teacher shared the Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship Award for outstanding teaching in 1961-1962.
Her graduate work was done at the University of Pittsburgh where as a graduate assistant she earned a Masters in Education in school psychology. Part of her practical training was at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and at Shadyside Academy.
Throughout her professional career she continued to nurture her family and excel as a cook and baker, creating wonderful holiday meals for her family and friends.
Other interest including reading, gardening, restoring furniture, dancing, 1940's music, the stock market, the seashore and her beloved grandson.
She traveled many times to Europe including a trip to her husband's ancestral home in Italy.
Over the years, she and her husband, Samuel, were members of the Historic Church of Saint Peter, Nemacolin Country Club and Supporters of BARC and other local organizations.
Mrs. Francis was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Samuel N. Francis, who died in 1995. Dr. Francis, a Brownsville Native, had a long career as an educator in the Brownsville Area School System and at the University of Pittsburgh. An annual school law symposium at Pitt is named in his honor. He was also an accomplished musician, known for playing the clarinet and saxophone with local orchestras.
Surviving are daughters: Pamela Kiehl, a foreign service officer with the United States Department of State, and Samantha Flynn, an attorney; grandson, Simon Flynn, a junior at Colgate University in New York, their husbands, William P. Kiehl and William M. Flynn, as well as, many nieces, nephews, grand-nephews, grand-nieces and members of her husband's family.
Visitors will be received in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, Pa., from 7 to 9 p.m. this evening, January 13, 2006. At the request of the deceased, there will be no viewing.
A Prayer Service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in the Historic Church of Saint Peter with the Rev. Father Vincent Gigliotti as Celebrant.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Samuel Francis/Richard Wynn Scholarship Fund at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. Contributions may be mailed to: University of Pittsburgh, Office Institutional Advancement, 500 Craig Hall, 200 S. Craig Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15260. Make checks payable to the University of Pittsburgh designated for the Francis/Wynn Scholarship Fund, School of Education on the memo line.
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