Frances ("Fran") Joann Williams, 82, of Fort Collins, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, surrounded by her loving family.Frances, also known as "Francie" to her sisters and childhood friends, was born on December 20, 1934 in Sharon, PA to Jennie Kutie Lurtz and Martin Lurtz.Frances married Kenneth Allen Williams on June 27, 1959, and soon began raising a family in a sweet yellow house on Mayfield Road in Sharpsville, PA. Six years later, the young family moved to Bartlesville, OK, where Fran immediately put down roots and created a full and active life for herself and her family. There were many swim meets, campouts, school fundraisers, potluck suppers at the church, and cross-country vacations in the station wagon. Fran's house became a popular gathering spot in Bartlesville, and even served as a "cookie station" for Girl Scouts during cookie season. The door was always open and the coffee was always on at the Williams' household in Bartlesville.After Ken retired from a career as an engineer for Phillips Petroleum, the couple moved to Loveland, CO to enjoy Lake Loveland and be close to their eldest daughter, Ellen. Widowed in 1996, Fran moved to Ft Collins, CO and continued her work in program development for The First United Methodist Church on Stover Street.Fran's commitment to volunteerism was in many respects, incomparable. She was a dynamic woman who found countless ways to teach, inspire, and serve others in her community. Fran was also a nature lover, a romantic, an explorer, and a Girl Scout at heart. She thoroughly enjoyed weaving, cooking, camping, traveling, sewing, decorating, reading, entertaining, gardening, drinking coffee, watching anything newsy like "60 Minutes," and of course, serving others, especially children.Fran was preceded in death by her husband Ken, her sister Lois Flowers, and her daughter, Dr. Jennifer McKissick.Fran is survived by her daughter Ellen Williams and Ellen's three children, Evan, Lauren, and Valerie Sumner; her son Ralph and his daughter, Phoebe Henderson; her son Paul and his children, Grant, Cole, Kate, and Paul Williams; and by the late Jennifer McKissick's daughters, Brandy and Gabrielle Storey, and Julia McKissick. "Granny Franny" is also survived by great granddaughter, Mackenzie Sumner, daughter of Evan Sumner.A memorial service for Frances will be held on Saturday, Jan 21, 2:30-3:30pm at The First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover Street in Ft Collins. An informal reception will immediately follow.Her ashes with be placed alongside her husband at Memorial Cemetery in Bartlesville, OK.In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to The First United Methodist Church (earmarked for Children's Ministries and Building Expansion), 1005 Stover Street, Ft Collins, CO 80524.For more information, please contact Ralph Williams at 512-924-3992 or email Ralph at [email protected]