Frances Marion Fitzpatrick Rinker

She graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she participated in the sodality and drama club productions. She then graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She also earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Tulane University of Louisiana.

Frances worked briefly at the Children’s Division of the Louisiana Department of Public Welfare. Mrs. Rinker was the President and Treasurer of Pro Christo Laborantes (Laborers for Christ) and was Treasurer of the Children of Mary at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. She was an active member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish Catholic Church. She was also very engaged with her children’s schools, Academy of the Sacred Heart, Jesuit High School, Christian Brothers School and De La Salle High School and served as the treasurer of the Holy Name of Jesus School Mothers’ Club.

She was deeply involved with and supportive of her husband’s professional, civic and community activities on the Orleans Parish School Board, the National Association of School Boards, the Boy Scouts of America, Delgado Community College, the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, Operation Reach (a drug abuse prevention program), the Total Community Action Committee and the American Academy of Pediatrics and various committees of these entities.

She raised and educated six children in a loving home in New Orleans.

She traveled extensively with her husband and her parents throughout the United States and Canada, South and Central America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. She enjoyed her daily, early morning walks with her husband around uptown New Orleans. She also took her greatest pleasures relaxing with her family in Destin, Florida, and exploring Ireland with her husband.

In 2004 and 2005, Frances and her husband, Andrew, worked in the Order of Malta’s Medical Mission Program at Christo Sana in Granada, Nicaragua, caring for impoverished and ill children. She looked

forward to these opportunities to help other people in desperate need.

In addition to travel, her hobbies included crossword puzzles, bridge, crocheting, painting, sailing, boating, fishing and work for her church. She had been a member of the Orleans Club and liked participating in activities at the Southern Yacht Club as well.

Frances was selfless and always let others take the spotlight. She had a keenness, intelligence, charm and wit that sometimes surprised others and kept people coming back to visit her. She was described by a friend as a mix of champagne and hot chocolate: she is bubbly, vivacious and fun and yet makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. She always celebrated the good in life and had a way of making people feel good about themselves.

Frances Marion Fitzpatrick Rinker was born on February 16, 1931, in Shreveport. Louisiana, and was the daughter of Frances Marion D’Artois and John Walter Fitzpatrick. She married her true love, Andrew Rinker, M.D., on December 27, 1955. They were married for over 60 years when her husband passed away. Their six children, Andrew Rinker, Jr., John W. Rinker, James Clemens Rinker, Frances Marion McDonough, Mary Elizabeth Lawrence and Patricia Susan Molsberry, and seven grandchildren to date survive her.

Due to the current mandate regarding social distancing restrictions, limiting attendance to ten people, services and burial will be held privately and with limited attendance. A private funeral Mass will be held on February 5, 2021, followed by her burial. The family invites you to share your fond thoughts, memories and condolences online at lakelawnmetairie.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Associated Catholic Charities of New Orleans, any of the high schools mentioned above and Tulane University of Louisiana.