Jean Ann (Whitaker) Franklin, born December 1, 1941, overcame her years long struggle with dementia and Alzheimer’s on Earth Day, April 22, 2023, with loved ones in attendance. Jean, a long-time resident of Franklin, MA is predeceased by her son Mark and survived by her husband George and her sons Bill, Ben, and Tim, daughters-in-law Carol Barton and Krista Schnitzler, and granddaughters Paige Franklin and Ellis Franklin.
Jean grew up in Indianapolis, IN with her parents Lester Whitaker, Elizabeth Whitaker, and older brother Thomas Whitaker. She attended Howe High School and then attended University of Cincinnati studying art. During college she met George and after a short courtship she married George on November 26, 1960. During their time in Cincinnati, she gave birth to Bill, Mark, and Ben.
The family then moved to Joppatown, MD where Tim was born. After a brief stint in Maryland, the family then moved to Franklin, MA.
Jean was always busy with her children’s schedules of soccer games, school activities, cub scouts, and boy scouts. She was daring enough to be a den mother to a gaggle of 10-year-olds for several years. Jean was an avid bowler participating in the Thursday Women’s Morning Glory League and the Sunday evening couples league with George for many years. Jean also provided needed support to George through his several job transfers, scouting endeavors and his run of advancing change of local government.
Jean, with George, was very active in church. Originally, the United Methodist Church in Franklin, then the Hopkinton Congregationalist Church, then finally The Faith Community Church of Hopkinton. She was active in flower sales, bible studies, prayer groups, woman’s retreats, missionary committee, and especially the nursery. Jean loved all forms of art and often participated in classes for painting, drawing, and pottery where her art was slightly more passionate than the rest of the class as her pieces were the only to survive a kiln malfunction forever memorialized in a piece of furniture. Jean also was able to turn a profit with her artistic talent while working for a graphic artist providing soft watercolors to black and white prints or accentuating calligraphy with pops of sparkle.
Jean also loved music live, recorded, or broadcast, classical to rock and roll. She often was known to even raid her son’s record, tape, or CD collections to satiate a particular phonic desire. Jean, always up for a walk, enjoyed the outdoors, flowers, plants, trees, and vegetables all provide her with a connection to the earth.
Viewing and remembrance service and reception to take place at The Faith Community Church of Hopkinton, 146 E Main St, Hopkinton, MA, on Saturday, April 29th, 2023 at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers or cards please consider donations to: The Friends of Franklin Elders at FOFE, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038, https://www.franklinma.gov/friends-franklin-elders or The Franklin Food Pantry at 43 West Central Street Franklin, MA 02038, https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/.
Arrangements under the care of the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).