Frances “Fran” May Michael passed away Sunday, August 11, 2019 at Epworth Villa in north Oklahoma City with her family by her side. She was born on May 10, 1934 to Joseph and Alice Zinge. She was a friend to all and loved her family unconditionally. Fran professed her faith in Jesus Christ.
She was united in holy matrimony to the late Richard “Dick” Lee Michael, Sr. who became her rock, her best friend and held the key to her heart. The union was blessed with 3 children, Lynda, Rose and Steven. Her husband Dick and daughter Lynda both preceded her in death and will be greeting her at the gates of Heaven.
Fran was a devoted wife and loving mother. Early in life she developed a love for cooking and even attended culinary school at Francis Tuttle. She didn’t further her education for a career in cooking, she did it to better serve her husband, family and guests. Her cooking was well desired amongst friends and family alike and she leaves a legacy of hand made recipes and stories to follow for each meal.
Fran’s husband was an entrepreneur and had many businesses. She became the bookkeeper for one his lifelong businesses, the clock shop. She was also an active host at many clock conventions, in charge of the food and festivities. She enjoyed catering and fraternizing with others. Fran learned to be a seamstress at a young age. She was quite good at it and in her early year’s worked a stint at Sears & Roebuck as their seamstress.
Later in life, Fran became fascinated in Shetland and Irish Setter pedigrees. She began obedience training for her dogs. She won many awards with Merrimac’s Moonglade “Penny” at obedience training events in Florida and Alabama.
She absolutely loved gardening. Every spring she would plant as many bushes, flowers and elephant ears as her back and front yards would have. She spent countless hours of her life gardening. Looking at the beautiful landscape made Fran very happy. In the last few years of her life, Fran couldn’t see so well but her daughter in law would still plant flowers in the backyard for her. Fran said, “I may not be able to see them, but I can smell them”.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished by the lives of her surviving children Rose Michael and Steve Michael and daughter-in-law Judy Michael; 6 grandchildren, Eric Quinones, Brent Quinones, Christian Portwood, Jami Hermance, Richard Michael, II and Leann Noguera; 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great grand child; brother Richard Zinge and sister Kathy Zinge.
The service scheduled in honor of Fran’s life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 8701 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73162.
