Margaret Mary Frankland

Maggie, age 76, passed away peacefully on August 22, 2019 after a courageous effort to combat recently discovered cancer. Her credo was faith, family and friends and she maintained those objectives even during her last days. Volunteerism was the center of her universe.

Maggie was born on November 18, 1942 to Fredrick and Julia Lutz. She was one of four children, Mary Kay Howard (George), Joan Knight (Charles) and a brother, William.

Maggie found the love of her life and married Kenneth P. Frankland on July 26, 1969 and resided in Detroit, Michigan before moving to the Lansing area and currently residing in East Lansing since 1977.

Maggie graduated in 1965 from the University of Detroit with a B.S. degree in Education. She was a member of the Women’s League and President of Kappa Beta Gamma sorority. Prior to marriage, she worked at U of D and was the first female Admissions Counselor at a Jesuit University in the United States. She belonged to numerous organizations in admissions, guidance and counseling.

Maggie was a stay at home mother nurturing her son Kerry and daughter Julie during their pre-school and early elementary school years and began her extensive volunteer efforts during this period.

Maggie’s first volunteer effort was President of Lansing Welcome Wagon in 1972.

This was followed by Junior League of Lansing (JLL) in 1974. For JLL she worked on almost every committee and her greatest personal satisfaction was as co-chair of the cookbook committee, a three year assignment that culminated with the publication of “Temptations” in 1984 with over 20,000 copies sold. Maggie has enjoyed the opportunity to continue her connection with all her friends as a sustaining member.

Maggie had an earnest appreciation for music and the arts which naturally drew her to the Wharton Center Inner Circle in 1989. She was an active member, chair of the Task-at-a-Time Committee, held leadership positions including publicity chair, secretary, vice president and president in 1995-96. She received the Outstanding Achievement Award in May 1999.

Maggie was very interested in Ken’s chosen profession, attorney at law, and led her to a very active and long lasting association with the Ingham County Bar Auxiliary starting in 1972 culminating in the presidency in 1994-1995. Maggie proudly accepted the first Frances Ryan Volunteer Service Award on May 18, 2001. She was also active in the state organization becoming the 47th president of Michigan Lawyers Auxiliary in 2003-2004.

The most recent activity near and dear to her heart is the mission of the Sparrow Guild a subset of Sparrow Foundation. She joined the Guild in 2001 and has chaired many committees, one of her favorites being the Charity Ball. She was privileged to be President twice, 2009 and 2013. Borrowing upon her experience with the Junior League cookbook, Maggie enjoyed helping the Guild create “The Art of Cooking” another fundraising success story. For her endeavors, Maggie received the Volunteers of the month Award in August 2009. Maggie and her husband are Endowment Fund Founding Members along with several other couples dear to her heart. She currently chairs the Endowment committee of the Guild. Maggie cherished all the members of the Guild and wants them to carry on the mission in her name.

Maggie enjoyed life to the fullest and was always cordial and warmhearted to all who she encountered. She was a life long active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish serving on many committees starting with the School Board in 1979. Thereafter she served on the Pastoral Council, and for the past ten years the finance committee where she developed a close working relationship with Father Mark Inglot whom she deeply adored. The family is extremely grateful for the spiritual assistance that Fr. Mark provided during her illness and final days.

Once her children were more independent and after she attained Junior League sustainer status, Maggie decided to venture into the business world and launched a career in interior design that continues as Maggie Frankland Interiors. She welcomed the opportunity to meet new clients and the challenge of accomplishing the client’s objectives. She made many new friends and thanks those who have reached out to her.

Maggie was a very accomplished bowler (where she first met Ken) and participated in the Groesbeck Tuesday Women’s League for many years and served as the league secretary for many years. She loved every member of the league and cherished the opportunity to work closely with the other officers. Maggie was a member of the Thursday Putters golf league and enjoyed playing golf with Ken and friends on courses throughout Michigan.

Travel was of great interest to Maggie especially the visits with her grandchildren in Tennessee and Ohio whom she deeply loved and cherished. These trips were supplemented with many ship cruises to visit foreign lands most recently a Mediterranean vacation celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary with Ken.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fredrick and Julia and an infant brother and brother-in-law, Robert Collins. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth; son, Kerry Patrick Frankland Sr. (Golda) and daughter, Dr. Julie Montgomery; her sisters, Joan Knight (Charles) and Mary Kay Howard (George); sisters-in-law, Sandra Penwarden (Wayne), Mary Louise Frankland and brothers-in-law, Lawrence Frankland (Carol) and Ronald Frankland (Rebecca); five grandchildren, Midshipman fourth class Kerry Patrick Frankland Jr., RH Frankland, Mary Noble Frankland, Grant Alden Montgomery and Molly Margaret Montgomery as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Visitation with be held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823 on September 2, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm with Scripture Service officiated by Rev. Gordon Reigle at 8:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church one hour before the funeral Mass celebrating her life on September 3, 2019 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 955 Alton Road, East Lansing, MI at 11:00 am with Rev. Michael Murray presiding.

Maggie and the family greatly appreciate all the kindness and offers of support she has received from her many friends in Sparrow Guild, Wharton Inner Circle, Junior League Sustainers, Lawyers Auxiliary, St. Thomas Aquinas, bowling and golf leagues. Thank you all.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maggie’s name to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 or the Sparrow Hospital Guild, 1322 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 204, Lansing, MI 48912

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.greastlansing.com