Nancy Grace Frans

07/07/1926

12/21/2020

Memorial Contributions

Porter Hills Foundation

4450 Cascade Rd. SE, Ste. 200

Grand Rapids, MI 49502-4646

or

Kids’ Food Basket

2055 Oak Industrial Dr., NE #C

Grand Rapids, MI  49505

Nancy Frans, 94, gratefully accepted her call home on Dec. 21, 2020, finally succumbing to a long and courageous 20-year battle with cancer.  Nancy was born to Arthur and Margaret Rodd in Hancock, MI on July 7, 1926.  The family moved many times but finally settled in Grand Rapids on the mail route of a postman who went home one night and told his son about the new girl who had moved in down the block.  That began a loving and devoted courtship with Don Frans that lasted for 56 years of marriage until Don’s death in 2003 and that produced three dedicated children, Patricia (Al) Abbasse, Rob (Christine) Frans, and Debbie (Doug) VanderLaan, seven grandchildren, Laura Rosenthal, Allison Dorman, Robbie (Julie) Frans, Christopher (Elise) Frans, Elizabeth (Brendan) Siereveld, Kari VanderLaan (Jason Stotridge), Jay VanderLaan, and seven great-grandchildren. Don and Nancy loved playing golf together and were avid followers of both the stock market and Michigan State University sports teams.  For many years, they were members of Cascade Country Club and it was the course’s 16th hole over which Nancy looked from her window at the Porter Hills Village retirement community during her final days.  Nancy lived at Porter Hills for the past 17 years and always had many special friends among residents and staff. Many there were recipients of the artful greeting cards she carefully crafted or were bridge partners or worshipped with her at vesper services.  With every day she lived, Nancy professed her love for her family. Her passing during the Christmas season will always be a reminder of Nancy’s love for the traditions of a candlelight Christmas Eve dinner and the reading of the Christmas story with her family. Her entire family will remain forever grateful for the loving care provided Nancy by longtime friend and pastor, Melody Johnson, and from the staff of Emmanuel Hospice, including Miranda Eden and David Velt whose music brought so much peace in Nancy’s final days.  According to her wishes, Nancy’s body has been cremated and her ashes will lie beside Don’s at Graceland Cemetery.  The family will gather in her memory for a final tribute celebration via ZOOM.  Nancy’s and the family’s wish are that any memorial contributions be made to the Porter Hills Foundation, 4450 Cascade Rd. SE, Ste. 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49502-4646 or Kids’ Food Basket, 2055 Oak Industrial Dr., NE #C Grand Rapids, MI  49505.

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One Response

  1. I knew you Mom and Dad at Cascade. She was one of the kindest and most understanding persons i have known . Her bridge skills far surpassed mine, but she was always patient and not judgemental. She made me feel comfortable. Her art work was lovely. Her ready smile and cheery words brought a brightness to me each time I saw her. I will long remember her .

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