The Life of VERA MAY FRANCISCO
Vera May Francisco at age 99, passed away December 19, 2011 at Bright Kavanagh House from cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family as she made her journey home. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, December 23, 2011 at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, with services to immediately follow at 2 pm. Interment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens.
Vera was born December 11, 1912 to Arthur E. Carr and Anne E. (Bustfield) Carr at their home in Clarion, IA. They moved to Des Moines where she graduated from North High School as a proud member of the National Honor Society.
On June 30, 1934 she married Kenneth J. Francisco. They had two sons, Russell A. Francisco and Stephen L. Francisco. Kenneth passed away on May 14, 1986 after 52 wonderful years of marriage.
Vera was a person who wore many hats. She was an excellent seamstress making many of her own clothes and sewing for friends and family. Some of her proudest sewing and crocheting included several state fair award winning bedspreads, table cloths, and quilts. Others included a Scottish kilt made for grandson Greg for the police honor guard bagpipers, and a beautiful wedding dress for a family member. She also loved to dance. Her favorites were square dancing, round dancing, and ballroom dancing. She and Ken belonged to several square dancing clubs. She recalled that some of her fondest memories with Ken were of square dancing. Other passions included golf, of which she played her last game at the age of 94, playing bridge, her flower garden, and cooking. However, her biggest passion was Ken and her family.
Vera moved to assisted living at Prairie Hills Assisted Living on the south side of Des Moines. There she made new friends and enjoyed a happy life.
She is survived by one son Russell (Linda) and daughter-in-law Linda, wife of Stephen Francisco, four grandsons, Greg, Marc, Todd (Laura)and Scott and 8 great grandchildren, Kathryn, Meredith, Rachel, Austin, Brandon, Brianna, Sydney and Taylor. She was preceded in death by her parents Arthur and Anne Carr, husband Ken, her youngest son Stephen, and her siblings, Leah, Harold, her twin Vere, and Avis.
Warmest thanks and wishes to Dr. Jose Angel and staff who helped her to 99 yrs, to Prairie Hills staff who was able to let her really enjoy some independence and treated her like family, and Maxine Phipps and many other caring friends at Prairie Hills.
Memorial contributions may be made to HCI, care of Bright Kavanagh house, 2910 Westown pkwy. WDSM, IA 50266, or Ft. Des Moines Presbyterian Church, South Union and Payton POB 35204 Des Moines, IA. 50315