ForeverMissed
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Her Life

Hobbies and Interests

September 3, 2012

Most will remember that Frances loved entertaining and being entertained. In her hay-day she sang jazz and R&B tunes with her sisters in their Sisters' Social club and brother John's band; they all dressed "to the nines" in custom made gowns. She also was an excellent cook and took every opportunity to help kids in need of emotional support.

What many may not know is that Frances was also a bibliophile, amassing a library of over 300 books ranging in subject matter from Ancient Egyptian Archeology to Science Discoveries to Yoga.

Frances also dabbled in photography and loved to collect old coins and beautiful objects d'arts.  She lovingly tended an aquarium until she was overwhelmed by illness in 2011. Frances loved visiting museums, cultural centers/dance academies, and was fascinated with Native American culture, yoga, martial arts, African American History, and classical music.  Beethoven was her favorite classical pianist and composer.

Frances got a chance to travel to Grenada, West Indies before battling a decade long illness.

 

Professional Career

September 3, 2012

Frances began her professional career as a High School Physical Education teacher coaching basketball at Cartersville High School in Cartersville, South Carolina.

 On December 13, 1951, she was united in holy matrimony to husband Sylvester Joe Gandy in Darlington County South Carolina on December 13, 1951. The couple moved to New York City and Frances, always athletic and interested in inspiring and educating the young, took a job as Recreational Leader with the New York City Parks Department. Frances was an avid handball player and fierce competitor in sports.

Frances converted to Roman Catholicism and was a former parishioner of 
St. Gregory the Great R.C. Church, Brooklyn, New York.

In 1966, Frances entered the U.S. Postal Service as a distribution clerk, and excelled receiving several Special Achievement Awards for superior work. She retired after 35 years of service in 2001.  

Early Years

September 3, 2012

In her early years, Frances attended Wilson High School in South Carolina, and was chosen Wilson High Home School Queen in 1947.

She attended Morris College, Sumter, South Carolina majoring in physical education. Frances was an outstanding basketball Star Guard during her college years, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree on May 26, 1948.