Elizabeth France

Elizabeth Jean Conway France went home to be with the Lord March 6, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. She was born January 3, 1929 in Waseca, Minnesota. She was the daughter of William and Rita Donovan Conway and came to Mansfield in the mid 1940's where she met her husband and raised four children. She was employed by Dominion Electric in the 40's, Isaly's in the 50's and 60's and the YWCA Food Service for three decades. She was an avid motorcyclist who rode extensively with her husband. She was a charter life member of the American Motorcyclist Association and a member of Women on Wheels. Most recently she rang the bell for the Salvation Army for the last four years. She even took flying lessons in the 1940's. She loved to read, care for animals, and most importantly her family. She had a good work ethic and kept busy all of her life.

Surviving are three sons, William and Robert, both of Mansfield, and Michael and wife Amanda of Libby, Montana; ten grandchildren, Krissy France, Karrie France and Justin Wille, Kelly France and Ted Thayer, all of Mansfield, William France of Newark, and Elizabeth, Hannah, Rebekah, Nathan, Abigail, and Benjamin, all of Libby, Montana; five great grandchildren, Carly, Riley, Lauren, and Tyler France and Liam Wille; two brothers, Robert of Lisbon, Ohio; and William of Panama; two sisters, Connie Ohms of Fremont and Barbara Morgan of Texas; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl in 1994; daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Clifford Wagner in 1990; daughter-in-law, Laura France in 1989; three sisters, Dolores Kern in 1997, Joan Smith in 2000 and Marilynn Brooks in 1995 and her own parents, William and Rita Conway.

Friends may call Sunday, March 8, 2009 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. A vigil service will be held Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 9, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, conducted by Father Keith McCormack. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family.