Francine Roberta Rode

It is with sadness that we report the death of Francine Rode-Farkus on November 15, 2024. Francine was the daughter of the late Frank Rode and Florence Skorupski Rode. She is survived by her cousin Rosemarie Bogdan Danner and her cousin’s daughters Jennifer Danner Strouss and Margaret Danner.

For many years, Francine taught English and Classics in the Duval County Public Schools. Notably, she launched and directed the International Baccalaureate program at Paxon High School and taught Latin and Humanities at Florida State College in Jacksonville. She began her teaching career at the prestigious Cranbrook School in Detroit. While at Cranbrook, she led three archaeological study groups to Greece. After many years at Cranbrook, she moved to New Orleans and served as head of the English department at the Louise S. McGehee school. From New Orleans, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where she was the Assistant Head at The Bartram School before it merged with Bolles.

Francine achieved the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Latin and English (Phi Beta Kappa) and Master of Arts Degree, with distinction, from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Francine loved to travel. As a classics scholar, she traveled to Greece for many years, and extensively throughout European and North African countries.

Francine was a resolute volunteer. For many years she served as a volunteer at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville. Exemplarily, as a resident at the Le Baron Condominiums, she was a contributing member of the Board for 25 years, serving as President, Secretary and currently Vice President.

A memorial service will be planned for January.