Frances Maria Watkins, loving wife of 72 years of recently deceased, 22 days ago, Benjamin E. Watkins, passed away February 5 at age 97. Frances attended Carneige Institute of Technology, now Carneige-Mellon University and was a commercial artist in Pittsburgh, PA for five years. She taught elementary school in San Antonio, FL for three years and was a volunteer teacher at Notre Dame High School for Girls in Chicago, IL. Frances was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Richardson, TX. She was a pioneering and continually active member in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, including membership with the parish in Dunedin, FL for 30 years. Frances is survived by her children, Rosemary Belmonte and husband Leonard of Woodstock, IL, Jerome A. Watkins and wife Edwina of Cave Springs, AR and Frances E. Watkins of Dallas, TX; 14 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Memorial services for Frances will be Friday February 9, at 10 a.m. in the Gardens of Richardson with Lamar Sachnik officiating. A memorial Mass at St. Leo’s Abbey, St. Leo, FL with Father Gregory Traeger, OSB, Celebrant will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Notre Dame High School for Girls, 3000 N. Mango Ave., Chicago, IL 60634-5289. Arrangements by Sparkman/Dickey Funeral, 17501 N. Dallas Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75287, 972-407-6070
