Obituary of Frances Amanda Meikrantz

Frances Amanda Meikrantz, 97, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on December 19, 2018. 

Fran was born February 26, 1921 in Worcester, Massachusetts to Maude (Moore) and Herbert Burrill. 

She is survived by her son David (Marjorie), two grandsons, Scott and Jay and three great grandchildren. Her sister Barbara (George, deceased) Franklin, niece Lauri (Curtis) Ziemba, two nephews, Jerome (Sheila) and Gregg, five great nephews, three great nieces and her favorite caregiver and great friend, Joseph Patterson.

Fran worked and lived in Pennsylvania for Bell Labs until retiring to Las Cruces, New Mexico. She loved square dancing, line dancing, gardening, animals, card/board games and cooking. Fran volunteered at the local police department and attended all of the local college continuing education activities. She was always happy to raise a glass, (beer, wine or scotch, it didn't matter) and would tell you like it is. Fran enjoyed going to local theater events and kept as busy as she could, right up until her last days when she went out for Mexican food with friends. Snacks were unfailingly nearby, often brought by her sister Barbara, niece Lauri, great niece Wednesday (Aparisi) and great nephew Brady (Ziemba). Fran also loved to laugh and watch old movies and tv series.

A proud WWII Marine SGT from 1943-1945, Fran wore a watch with the Marine insignia on it every day. Even when standing up was extremely difficult and she needed help to do it, when she heard the Marines’ Hymn, she’d make sure to stand for as long as she could.

Cremation was handled by Brings of Tucson and internment will be at Billings Hill Cemetery in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts with her parents. A Memorial will be held at Broadway Proper Assisted Living home in Tucson (where she lived for 14 years), date in 2019 yet to be determined. Email Lauri to receive further information at [email protected].

Donations may be made in her honor to The Hermitage No Kill Cat Shelter https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=01df04ad-b51b-440e-9233-6d13ca2c6522 or your favorite animal rescue charity. 

Semper Fi.