Marilyn Myers Franz

Marilyn was born on April 29, 1930, in Providence, Rhode Island, to Helen Hall Myers and Louis Sturt Myers. She grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, alongside her older sister Virginia and younger sister Nancy. Her fondest childhood memories were creating lifelong friends and the many summers attending Camp Allegro with her sisters in Silver Lake, NH.

In 1942, the Myers family relocated to Manhasset, New York, when her father accepted a position with Balfour & Co. Marilyn attended Manhasset Secondary School, where she met Frederick “Freddy” Franz—thanks to a blind date she initially thought was with someone else. Fred’s humor and zest for life quickly won her over. Over their 64 years of marriage, his wit often made her laugh, occasionally embarrassed her, and sometimes even tested her patience—but most of all, it brought her endless joy.

After graduating high school, Marilyn attended Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, where she studied medical stenography with the goal of working in a doctor’s office. Upon graduation, she worked in a dentist’s office in Manhasset.

On July 14, 1951, Marilyn married her high school sweetheart at The Congregational Church of Manhasset, followed by a reception at the Strathmore-Vanderbilt Country Club. Fred, who studied agriculture and pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team, and Marilyn began their married life running a dairy farm along the Chester River in Chestertown, Maryland. Though the early days were challenging—learning to cook for Fred and his friends while getting the farm running—they built a life filled with love and welcomed four children: Caryl, Linda, Richard, and Anne Marie. While they cherished their time and friendships there, farming ultimately proved unsustainable.

In 1962, Fred transitioned into a sales career with Black & Decker, prompting a move to San Antonio, Texas. The following year, they welcomed their fifth child, Andrew, and later that year relocated to Houston, settling in the Spring Branch area.

In 1968, the family moved to the Memorial area in Houston, where they lived on Boheme Drive for 27 years. During this time, Marilyn cultivated lifelong friendships through her involvement in the garden club and the Daughters of the American Revolution (John McKnitt Alexander Chapter). She and Fred were also active members of the Houston Model A Ford Club—Fred showcasing his restored cars and Marilyn participating in 1920’s-era fashion shows.

Marilyn supported Fred as he launched his business, Superior Tool and Supply Company, in 1973. Together, they built a life rich in family and community. Weekends were often spent at their second home in Port Aransas, where Fred and friends fished while Marilyn enjoyed shopping trips and time with loved ones. She was also a devoted caregiver to family members, including Fred’s mother and 2 aunts, as well as her own parents.

Their home on Boheme Drive was filled with memories of raising children and grandchildren, entertaining friends, and celebrating milestones, including Marilyn’s cherished gazebo, built by family for her 60th birthday.

After retiring in 1996, Marilyn and Fred built their dream log home in Wimberley, Texas. There, they spent 17 joyful years volunteering at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and the EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens, forming new friendships, and welcoming frequent visits from her sister Nancy and husband, Dave. The couples shared many happy summers in Ohio and winters in Texas filled with projects, golf, conversation, and laughter. Marilyn’s artistic talents complemented Fred’s woodworking, and together they created a home filled with beauty, including a restored chuck wagon, a 1930’s windmill, lush gardens, and a koi pond.

In 2013, they made their final move together to Sun City in Georgetown, Texas, where they embraced an active community life and continued to make new friends. After Fred’s passing in 2015, Marilyn later moved to Brookdale Westlake in Austin. There, she found companionship and joy among a group of friends affectionately known as “The Sorority.”

Marilyn had a deep love for needlepoint, cross-stitch, genealogy, painting, cooking, decorating, and shopping. Above all, she cherished her family—her beloved Fred, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her daughter, Caryl Allison; and her son, Richard Franz.

She is survived by her daughters Linda Vaughn of Austin and Anne Marie Franz of Austin; son Andrew Franz (Wendy) of Houston; her grandchildren Stephanie Ernst (Weston), David Allison (Isabel), Jonathan Allison, Kelsi McCormack (Michael), and Harry Franz (Elizabeth); and her nine great-grandchildren: Barrett, Alexis, Braydon, Giles, Emily, Elliott, Wyatt, Frederick, and Annabelle. She is also survived by her loving sister and best friend, Nancy Hall Palamountain of Woodstock, Georgia.

Marilyn’s life was one of love, laughter, creativity, and devotion to family. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

We will celebrate Marilyn’s life at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 6000 Ranch to Market Rd 3237, Wimberley, TX 78676 on May 2, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in her honor to the American Cancer Society, St. Stephens’s Episcopal Church, Wimberley, Tx or the EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens Wimberley, TX.