Frances Jean Pettigrew

Frances Jean Wilson Pettigrew passed away on August 9, 2025. Frances (Fran) was born September 7, 1945 in Washington DC to Major General Charles Vincent Wilson (Ret.) and Jean Terpening Wilson. Being the daughter of an Army officer, she spent much of her youth relocating to various Army bases. One of the most impactful was the time in Panama where her father served as the commander of the 2nd Battle Group of the 10th Infantry at Fort Davis and then the Assistant Chief of Staff, G3, Operations, for the U.S. Army Caribbean at Fort Amador. It was during her time in Panama that Fran learned to speak Spanish and developed a love of foreign languages.

After graduating from Balboa High School in Panama City, Fran attended the University of South Florida where she received a Bachelor’s Degree. She eventually moved to and settled in Northern Virginia where she met her first husband, George Chinn. This is where she began her career as a foreign language teacher. Fran and George married and had a son, Neale. George, Fran, and Neale lived in Vienna, VA where they enjoyed an active social life while she continued to thrive in her career as a teacher. Eventually, Fran and George divorced and along with her son, moved to Reston, VA where she met her second husband, Dale Pettigrew.

Fran and Dale were married on July 1, 1983 and settled into their new life together in Reston with Neale. During this time Fran continued teaching at McLean High School where she served as the head of the Foreign Language Department. Fran loved being a teacher. She cherished the relationships with her students and was honored to write hundreds of college recommendation letters for them.

Fran was a true Renaissance Woman. She thoroughly enjoyed the culture and diversity of living so close to Washington DC and never missed an opportunity to spend time with the family perusing a new museum exhibit, taking Neale to the zoo for the 100th time, or taking in the beauty at DC’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

Fran eventually retired from teaching and moved to Ormond Beach, FL where she and Dale enjoyed an active lifestyle traveling the world. She spoke fondly of her love of traveling and experiencing other world cultures. On one of her favorite trips, she was able to trace the footsteps of father and his Army unit, the XIX Corps, from its arrival shortly after D-Day through Normandy during WW2. Fran loved to immerse herself into the culture of the country she was in. She spoke multiple foreign languages and had a lifelong affinity for learning and unique experiences. Of all the places she visited, her happy place was Paris where she spent weeks soaking up all things French.

On January 23, 2009, her two twin granddaughters, Kaylie and Taylor were born. Of all the roles and responsibilities Fran held during her life she was most proud to be a grandma. She was affectionately known as Gramfran or just Grandma to Kaylie and Taylor. Fran embraced her new role as Gramfran with the utmost enthusiasm. She loved nothing more than going to visit for a long weekend and spending time with Kaylie and Taylor which she did frequently. Fran and her granddaughters had a special bond unlike any other. The girls loved their time with her, whether lounging on a cruise ship, hitting the local mall, enjoying Disneyland, or enjoying frequent visits to Murrell’s Inlet. We will always fondly remember the car overflowing with presents for the girls when Fran and Dale arrived for Christmas. She loved to spoil them as they were her pride and joy! She was literally the world’s greatest grandma!

She enjoyed life in Ormond Beach with Dale, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Fran passed away from natural causes on Saturday August 9, 2025. She leaves behind her husband of 42 years, Dale Pettigrew, her son Neale Chinn and wife Kara along with granddaughters Kaylie and Taylor, her sister Cathy Wilson, her brother Bill Wilson and his partner Debi Carvel. Fran was truly one of a kind. She was full of empathy and compassion for the less fortunate and lived a life of selfless dedication to those she loved. She will be greatly missed by all who knew had the fortune to know her. Fran will be laid to rest on Friday September 12, 2025 at 12:00pm at the National Cemetery in Beaufort SC.