Mary Frances “Fran” Donah Walters

Mary Frances “Fran” Donahoe Walters, 88, passed away at home in Chama, New Mexico on September 2, 2011 due to the long term effects of Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born on May 15, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents were John Paul and Marion T. Donahoe. Although Fran was close to her father, he died when she was seven years old and she was raised by her mother and older sister, Betty. In 1944, she met and married Harvey Henry Walters, Jr. in a ceremony held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock, Arkansas. While Harvey served overseas at the conclusion of World War II, Fran helped support her mother by working in Little Rock as a Court Reporter for the FBI. Upon Harvey's return, the couple moved to Richmond, VA to begin their long life of 66 years together. Fran was Harvey's life partner in every respect, supporting him with grace, energy, kindness, enthusiasm and creativity. Harvey's careers in newspaper publishing and the Presbyterian ministry took them to Virginia, Georgia, California, Florida, and New Mexico. Besides being a full time mother to their children, Lee White and Johnny, Fran worked as a church secretary and historian. In her “spare time” she earned three Associate Degrees from three different community colleges, loved to read, and was interested in psychology. She was a Girl Scout leader and a member of the Colonial Dames and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved orchids and enjoyed growing grapes and working in the yard. She referred to raking leaves as “scratching the earth's back”. Anyone who knew Fran saw her outer and inner beauty. Not only was she physically attractive, with the most beautiful blue eyes, she possessed a huge heart and was generous with her tender-loving kindness to all she met. Fran is survived by two children, Lee White Walters (Chama, NM) and John Paul Walters (Tallahassee, FL), son-in-law Bill Wylie (Chama,NM), daughter-in-law Jan Jordan Walters (Jacksonville, FL) and by three grandchildren, Luke Wylie (Santa Fe, NM), Grayson Lee Walters (Orlando, FL) and David Jordan Walters (Princeville, HI), niece Christine Allen (Little Rock, AR), and cousin Sr. Helen Donahoe, RC (Long Island, NY), She is predeceased by her husband, Harvey, and sister Betty Allen. Fran's favorite Bible verse was “This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it! Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord!” A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mary Frances Donahoe Walters will be held Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 2:00 PM at St. Jerome's Episcopal Church in Chama, New Mexico. A reception will follow at the home of Bill Wylie and Lee Walters. For more information, contact DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley (505) 747-7477. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

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