Frances "Franci" Ann Neale

Frances Ann Neale passed away March 5, 2020 in Olympia, Washington, her home of 53 years (1946-1950, 1981-2020). She was born January 8, 1940, in Oklahoma. Over the years, she also lived in San Francisco, California (1960-1975); and Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1975-1981). Franci graduated from Olympia High School in 1957 and attended Central Washington University and Linfield College. Professionally, she was a legal secretary in San Francisco, and for Bell Helicopter in Amsterdam, where she was President of American Women’s Club. She also was a self-employed seamstress/designer and had an online sales business (1981-2011). Franci was independent and lived her life as she pleased. She was intelligent and opinionated. She had a mischievous sense of humor. She especially loved Garfield the cat. She entertained her nieces and nephews with fun times, such as an afternoon with aluminum pie pans, shaving cream and water balloons. She also shared her gift of sewing with her nieces and nephews; she could make anything, from stuffed toy dinosaurs and quilts for the kids to fancy prom dresses. While living in San Francisco, Franci was asked to travel to Newcastle, England, to oversee the legal paperwork involved with the restoration of a paddlewheel tug boat. She completed the legal work, helped with the restoration, and sailed on the Eppleton Hall tug across the Atlantic Ocean through the Panama Canal on its way to the San Francisco maritime museum. While living in Amsterdam for six years, she learned the Dutch language and travelled Europe and around the world, including to Africa, Asia, and South America. Franci enjoyed going to garage sales, writing, reading, sewing, and spending time with her family and her cats. She was feisty and had a big heart. We will miss her. She is survived by brothers, David Neale (Pam) and Miles Neale (Katherine); sister, Susie Neale Knight (Greg); nieces, Jennifer Bendemire, Kerry Johnson (Andy), and Julie Taylor (Dave); nephews, Paul Bendemire (Laura) and Kevin Bendemire (Nicole); and nine grandnieces. She was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Ellen Neale. A celebration of life will be scheduled for later in the year. Memorial donations may be made to Feline Friends, 7115 Old Hwy 101 NW, Olympia, WA 98502, or the Seattle Children's Olympia Bargain Boutique, 2020 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia, WA 98502. Please leave condolences or share memories and photos on the Tribute Wall to the left.