Mary T. Franz

FRANZ (nee DEGLMANN), MARIA THERESIA, passed away on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at the age of 82. She was born on March 29, 1939 in Bartlmuhle near Pleystein, Germany to Berta Deglmann and Antonin Cermack. During the Second World War, Mary and her family lived in Altsattel (now Stare Sedlo) in the Czech Republic. In 1946 Mary and her mother found refuge in Aspertsham, Germany near Trostberg where they eventually settled in the early 1950s. In Trostberg, Mary met the love of her life, Ferdinand Franz.

Ferdinand emigrated to the United States in 1954, settling in Miami, Florida, and Mary emigrated in 1956 to marry him. A few days after arriving in Miami, Mary already had a job at the Central Bank of Miami and quickly became one of their best bookkeepers. From the early 1960s through the early 1980s, Mary raised her three sons at their home in southwest Miami fully engaged with their upbringing and schooling. In the mid-80s, she re-entered the work force and became head of the Signature Control Department at the First National Bank of South Miami for ten years before retiring to Kennesaw, Georgia in 1997. In 2018, Mary and Ferdinand relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida to be closer to family.

Mary loved to visit her children and grandchildren and to travel to her beautiful Bavarian homeland in Germany. She enjoyed listening to music, walks in the neighborhood and striking up a conversation with anyone she met. She was always curious to learn someone’s story and lived by her motto “I never met a stranger.”

Mary was predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Ferdinand, and parents, and is survived by her beloved sons Dr. Michael G. Franz and his wife Janice, Christopher G. Franz and his wife Sandra and Steven G. Franz and his husband Rick, grandchildren Kyle, Matthew, Megan, Allison and Emily, sister Ingrid Deglmann, along with sisters-in-law Karin and Elfriede, brother-in-law Dietmar and many nephews and nieces.

Until we meet again, farewell and auf Wiedersehen, Mary Franz (a/k/a Schatz, Maritsch, Mom, and Oma), we will miss you.

A Memorial Service will be held on December 22, 2021 at 11am at Bay Pines National Cemetery followed by a reception at the home of Michael and Janice Franz. Flowers and condolences can be sent to Beach Memorial Chapel 301 Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706.