Fran, also known as Mom, Grandma O, and GGO (Great Grandma O), went to be with Christ on Sunday, March 22, 2020.
Fran was the very patient wife of the late Carl Obenshain. She was also preceded in leaving this world by her father, Julius Hardy Fincanon, and by her mother, Lula Edna Brannen Fincanon, when she was a young child. Fran lost her dear younger sister, Judith Fincanon Thurber, who she always claimed was her first child, also far too early in life. Her reunion with her husband and parents was sure to be incredibly sweet, and with her sister, likely a bit of a wild party. The two of them loved to sing, and they will surely join the Heavenly Choir.
Fran leaves behind to forever cherish her memory her five children, Michael Obenshain (Kandace), De-De Obenshain Gardner (Lee), Susan Obenshain Keele (Lonnie), Chuck Obenshain (Janet) and Scott Obenshain (Gay Lynn). Her eleven grandchildren, who were so precious to her, Kayce Gardner Dumas (Tim), Travis Gardner (Valerie), Kara Gardner Alexander (McAuley), Jessica Keele, Jacob Keele, Kendall Keele Bregovi (Zach), Stephen Obenshain (Jenny), Phillip Obenshain, Daniel Obenshain, Tyler Obenshain and Madison Obenshain. And lastly, the five great-grandchildren she felt beyond blessed to have spent time with and loved dearly, Charles Fincanon Alexander, Jack Kelton Obenshain, Mary Emeline Alexander, Caroline Reese Bregovi and Madison Kate Bregovi.
Fran was a devoted member of Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church. She loved water aerobics, and especially water volleyball, at the Harbison Rec Center. She also loved her many wonderful friends and the special time spent with them. From concerts in the park, birthday dinners, shopping trips, and church luncheons to the infamous Monday nights at Chick-fil-a. She loved it all.
Family was everything to Fran, and she enjoyed all of the time spent with them. One family favorite was her Mexican Christmas. It was a great break from turkey and ham and the family would enjoy every Mexican dish imaginable. It was always a day filled with stories, love, and laughter.
Fran’s passion was gardening. She often said she would rather dig in the dirt than to eat. Her green thumb was undeniable, and her yard and the church garden showed it. On occasion, she would go outside to drink her morning coffee in her sanctuary of a backyard, and before she knew it the sun was going down. She’d been planting all day in her nightgown.
Fran was an extremely strong, independent and positive person. Losing her loved ones at such an early age perhaps encouraged her to learn how to do pretty much everything herself. She rarely hired someone to do work in her home, on her car, or in her yard because she could do it herself. Only once she reached the age of 80, and at the insistence of her children, did she agree to stop getting on her roof to blow off the pine straw. Her argument was “I took my phone with me in case I fell”. She was lovingly known as Lady MacGyver, and her “I’ve got this” hardworking attitude is part of her legacy to be passed on to future generations.
Possibly her most admired attribute, was her positive outlook. She always saw the best in people and for the future. Her always positive attitude no doubt played a role in her beating stage 4 cancer. Though she suffered from A.G.E., as she called it, you could call and ask how she was doing, and her answer was always the same, a very cheerful “I’m fine”.
Now, in Heaven with Jesus, we know that she is.
In light of COVID 19 the family is not holding a public service. Memorials can be made to Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18