Mary Frances Springer

Born on a farm in Ellinwood, Kansas in 1929, Mary Fran left this earthly life for the next after a lengthy illness. She undoubtedly joined her mother, Laura C. Kimpler Doherty and 9 siblings in heaven for a spirited game of cards, a potluck supper and singalong after being met by her husband at the pearly gate for a long-anticipated embrace. She was 92.

After graduating from Great Bend High School in 1947, she studied at Marymount College in Salina, Kansas completing a bachelor's in Voice and Music Education. She taught Music and English in Kansas public schools until 1953 when she married Roy Joseph (RJ) Springer. The family lived in Manhattan, Kansas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; and Littleton, Colorado before moving to Arlington, Texas in 1964. Mary Fran participated in parish music ministry wherever she lived while caring for her family of five children. St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church has been her home parish for 57 years. Through music and her gifts of leadership and teaching she participated in parish life: she sang at funerals and weddings, led the congregation at first communions, confirmations, Sunday liturgies, taught music to children, and was a vocal coach and mentor to other musicians. She assisted many people in planning their own funeral liturgies and comforted their families at their passing as part of the bereavement ministry. Other activities included SMG Home and School Association and Women's Guild. In the community she was active in Arlington Music Club, Church Women United, Arlington Choral Society, and was proud to have been part of the Southwest Seminary Oratorio Chorus under the direction of C. David Keith. She was intelligent, energetic, and optimistic with a great sense of humor. Gardening, sketching, and family celebrations were her favorite past times. She loved to entertain and had been a guest performer at many community gatherings.

Mary Fran was preceded in death by her husband RJ Springer and her son Kurt Springer.

She is survived by her daughter, Laurel Mayo (Don); her sons Gregory Springer, Bret Springer, and Scott Springer (Lisa) as well as 5 grandchildren: Aaron, Colin, and Zach Mayo; Mary Ann Springer and Jenny Haney; 6 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral: Private graveside services with family will be conducted at Moore Funeral Home with a Memorial Mass to be celebrated at a future date. If you would like to honor her memory, teach someone something that you love. In memorium donations can be made to St. Maria Goretti Catholic School 1200 S Davis Dr, Arlington, TX.