Frances Dunleavy

Frances Dunleavy
(May 18, 1926 - Feb. 5, 2010)

Frances Dunleavy, 83, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away Feb. 5, 2010, at her home near Heart Mountain.

Frances was born May 18, 1926, to Charles and Isabella Plumb. She grew up on a farm in Greeley, Colorado with five sisters. She attended Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, earning a B.A. degree in education. She taught elementary school in California and in Powell, where she met Gene Dunleavy. They were married on Feb. 7, 1955, and lived on a farm near Heart Mountain, raising six children.

Frances was active in St. Barbara's Catholic Church, teaching CCD classes for many years, coordinating the Prayer Line, and attending bible study. She also had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying each Friday with the Mother's Rosary Group. She volunteered for many years at the Powell Valley Care Center and at the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank.

She was an avid reader and also enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, and besting her children and grandchildren at Scrabble and Upwords. Her grandchildren lovingly called her "Grandma Friend." Her quick wit and great sense of humor remained with her until the last day.

She is survived by sons Don Dunleavy (Ginny Singer), Mike Dunleavy (Symona) both of Powell, Rob Dunleavy (Mary Beth) of Aurora, CO; daughters Mary Petro (Dave) of Katy, TX; Pat Reinhart (Steve) of Courtland, MN; Kathy Schwappach (John) of Denver, CO; sixteen grandchildren-Mike Dunleavy, Andy (and Megan) Dunleavy, Troy Dunleavy, Shannon Dunleavy, Nick (and Shara) Petro, Kyle Petro, Alison Petro, Rachel Dunleavy, Kathleen Dunleavy, Lauren Dunleavy, Erin Reinhart, Ray Reinhart, Jordan Reinhart, Joe Schwappach, Mary Frances Schwappach, and Julia Schwappach. She also leaves behind her sisters Charlotte Mundy, Barbara Hansen, Annabel Glenn, and Agnes Weinstein. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a sister Marjorie O'Farrell.

Vigil services will be Wednesday, Feb 10, at 7 p.m. at St. Barbara's Catholic Church. Funeral Mass services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, also at St. Barbara's. Burial will follow at the Crown Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Thompson Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to Powell Valley Hospice, 777 Avenue H, Powell, WY 82435.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Father Glen Szczechowski, her godson Tom Spiering, the excellent care from everyone at Powell Valley Hospice, and the staff of Hematology Oncology Centers of the Northern Rockies.