Frances Louise Wolff
December 13, 1919 - October 30, 2004
Obituary
Frances Wolff passed peacefully away on Saturday October 30, 2004.
She was born in Wichita Kansas on December 13, 1919. She married Tharrel Wolff on September 12, 1942. She and Tharrel both worked at the Wichita Boeing Plant. She was preceded in death by her husband Tharrel on December 9, 1988.
She is survived by her children, Michael Denise, Dennis, Philip Debbie, JoAnne Tom; she is also survived by eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends. She loved them all.
Her faith was the focus and the highlight of her life and she shared it readily with everyone. She was a staunch Catholic and was a member of St. Philomena Catholic Church in Des Moines. She treasured her religion above all things.
Before her health began to fail, she loved to garden. She could grow anything. If anyone had a green thumb it was Frances! There were very few idle moments. She was a go- getter. There was not a lazy bone in her body.
As fate would have it, she was wheelchair bound the last twelve years of her life. She did more for others from that wheelchair than most people who are able bodied. She was a wonderful, caring lady and an inspiration to us all. She will be missed. This planet has lost a wonderful soul and will never be the same.
JoAnne and Family
What a beautiful photo of your dear Mother. I will never forget her sweet laugh
and kind eyes. It has been quite a few years since I have seen Francis but her kindness is something you can’t forget. I can just barely see you Jo with your warm hug in the photo I know this is a very hard time for
all of you but I know your mom is still with you in so many ways! I can’t believe it has been so long but I remember your dad finally giving in to your teaching me to drive a stick shift. I think your mom finally convinced him that we would not kill each other or hurt the truck. Time flies but dear friends are always there. Thanks for being YOU. Consider this one big Hug to a very Dear WOMAN and to her family who she LOVED dearly. Pam
much love to a dear AUNT
much love to a dear Aunt
much love to a dear AUNT
Mrs. Wolff was a wonderful person and I know she meant the world to her daughter my friend JoAnne. I have so many memories of her through the years. I will always remember the smile on her face and ever-present twinkle in her eye. She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
My mom was always there to help us kids out.Mom, I love you very, very, much and I want to thank you for making me what I am today. I know now that all the pain and suffering is gone now, and your with your mother and dad.
Love, Phil
I Did not know Frances but am a friend of Phil. I can tell that she must have been a great mom because she raised such a wonderful caring son.
Jill and Ben Herbert
Dear Phil and all your family,Mary and I send our love and condolences to you at this sad time.
Take comfort in each other, remembering the good times that you have all shared with your Mom and in remembering a life well lived.
Defined in the dictionary as an unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another, devotion, admiration, love is a quality that my grandma, Francis Wolff, demonstrated in all her actions and words of wisdom. All that is left of a profound woman that has touched the hearts of so many, are wonderful memories of a dedicated mother, a compassionate friend, and a loving grandma. I have such fond memories of a woman I am proud to call my grandma. I love you Grandma with all my heart.
I miss my mother so much. She was my best friend. While sharing the news of her passing with her many, many friends, I am finding out so many lovely things about my her – most of all, that she was loved and loved so many people in return. She shared of herself, a gift so truly rare in this world. In the end she got her wish…being able to continue living in her home and passing away peacefully in her sleep in her own home. My heart will ache for you mom, until we meet again, but I will live as you have taught and shown me and we will see each other gain. Love, Jo
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Frances Wolff. May she rest in peace.
With Love,
Rick and Nancy Phipps
JoAnne’s Mother, Frances, always brought sunshine into a room when she entered. She had a wonderful outlook on life, and never complained. We will miss her sweet spirit, but know she is now without pain – and with her Heavenly Father.
IN spite of her health problems,when visiting Frances she had a twinkle in her eyes and one of the warmest of smiles. Her star in heaven will always shine.
Frances’s life illustrated to me on a grand scale the power of self reliance. For all the years I had the ultimate pleasure of knowing her, she maintined her own thoughts, held steadfast to her decisions. I will always remember Frances as a beautiful and spirited person and hold a special place in my life for her loyal and trusted friendship. Goodbye for now, sweet, kind lady.
Dear JoAnne and family,
I wish you peace and fond memories in your time of grief. JoAnne, I have had the pleasure of knowing you for about 12 years now and you are one of the most thoughtful and caring people I know. I bet that gift came from your beautiful mother.
Love, Pam Baker
I came to know Frances through my best friend Jo Anne. Frances always had a smile on her face and she had a heart as big as Kansas! When my Mom passed away last year, Frances became my adopted “Mom” for which I was very honored and proud. Frances was one of the most loving, caring and generous women I have known and it was a privledge to have been able to share in her life. I know that Frances is in Heaven now watching over all of us..I love you Frances and I will miss you always.
When I was younger,going to see my Grandma and Grandpa Wolff was like going to Disney Land. On the way there,It felt like we were traveling across the state but once we were there, my brother and I never wanted to leave. I don’t think I have ever seen my Grandmother mad or upset. She was strong. Yet always happy.Every time I saw her that smile she had would light up the room. My guess is that she is probably smiling right now the same way she always did only now she is with my Grandpa.You always wish you should have spent more time with someone after they have passed on. I think that when someone you love leaves, it reminds you that maybe you should spend more time with people while they are here. I love you Grandma. Everyone loves you.You are the reason we are all here. Thank you for your love,kindness, and generousity.Most of all, thank you for being you.
I spent the most time with my Gradma back in my younger years of life in Kintergarten and such. I always got out of school and then I would walk straight over to grandma’s house and watch cartoons or pick up apples from her tree or do some chores for her and of course she always called me back in the house from playing with my old friend Bob when my mom came to pick me up. She always made some sort of food or had some candy to give me too and she didn’t eat much of it so i would usually wind up with it, which of course was fine by me. Once she tried to make a penut butter/chocolate Reses thing and it came out as a huge chunk of choclate on top of peanut butter and thatlast me almost all week and I remeber that she would always pull it out of the fridge for me to eat. Her love was always there, a constant that I think was taken for granted in some ways but now that she is gone we can really see what someone who loves us that much can do for us just by being there for us. I hope that we meant as much to her as she did to all of us.
Frances and I met on the bus coming and going to work at Boeing in the early 1980’s. That changed to my driving Frances to work and parking inside the gates because she had a pass for inside parking.
We remained friends and visited often even after she retired. I’d help Tharrel with projects around their house. Even after Mary Jean passed away and I moved to Renton, I’d keep in touch with that wonderful woman thru the Bluebills, also. The Bluebills always had some goodies to share at Halloween, Thanksging, Christmas, Easter and other times. I’ll miss Frances.
My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to the family of Frances. The world was a much better place with Frances in it. I will always remember Frances as a very kind and caring woman who lived by her convictions and was always willing to share her strong faith. She was very devoted to our Blessed Mother and gave me a rosary which I continue to use today. I held it particularly close to my heart when my own father and father-in-law passed away. I am truly grateful.
Susan Heye
Our paths crossed when I first moved to Des Moines in 1991. Every day I would walk by Frances’ home as I was out for my daily stroll. It wasn’t until the year 2003 that I actually met this sweet spirit. The day Joanne my co-worker graduated from college, my mother and I went to help Frances get gussied up for the big day. We laughed, we cried, we had such fun. When Tom and the boys came to pick her up, one truly beautiful woman went out the door. Both my mother and I extend our sympathy to the family.
Mom, It has been very hard for me. Every minute on the clock that ticks I want to call you. I will try very hard to be a good person, so I can see you and Dad once again. Thank you for being so close for me, I know the time has come to feel your happy now and with out any pain. God Bless you and I will pray for you and Dad till my last dying breath.Love you very much and I’ll miss my Mom.
your son Phil
I’ve known Francis for over 18 years. I met her between 1976/86 when I lived in the St. Phils Parish. We were talking in church.
She lost her parents at an early age. Her daughter told me she found out from Francises sister, that when Francis was young she began schooling to become a nun, and later changed her mind. When Jo Ann asked her why, one of the reasons Francis gave was ” I talked too much in church.”
Later she went to work at Boeing and met Tharrel. She was laid off one time at Boeing and said she bothered and bugged the employment guy so many times that he finally had to call her and say “Mrs. Wolff, do you want to go to work again?”
Tharrel and Francis came to our house warming in Marine Hills, Federal Way. She brought some granulated soap called “Fresh start” for our fresh start in our different home. She also brought beautiful hand embroidered Pot Holders that read “Watch Out. Its Hot!” I still have them.
We moved to Buckley for eight years and I saw her when I came back to town. When I called her one day and said “I have a surprise,” She responded without hesitation “You’er moving back!”
When I was trying to quit smoking once,Francis told me to “Get a straw and draw on that. “Thats what I did.” So I did.
She kept up on politics and told my husband that he looked like the vice president, Dick Cheney. Bob doesn’t have his money though.}
One day I drove Mary Conejo and Frances to lunch. Frances managed very well with her wheel chair. WE all had a good time.
She had a large statue of our Holy Mother in her living room. Once I said ” You are a good person for saying the Rosary every day. She said, “I say two.”
She loved her children. grand children and people.
Even me. I will miss her.
Lorraine Olsen
Well Mom I have prayed each and every day for you and Dad. I have your statue of the blessed mother with me. Each day looking at me when I pray. I love God and the Blessed Mother. I hope I will be able to be with you and Dad soon.
Your loving Son, Phil
Mom it is now March 2,2007 It has almost been a whole year.I still miss you and dad very much. Paccer is up there now with you. Your still in my heart and in my mind. Love, Phil
Well Mom, It has been a long time since I wrote anything. Mike just passed a way at 11:55AM today December 21, 2009 on his birthday. I have been saying prayers everyday for you, Dad, and , Mike. I know Mike is finally with you and Dad. I will keep praying harder and harder for all of you.
Love,
Phil
Well it is now April 14, 2008. Mom I remember on Mothers day loading up your flower garden with lots of colorful flowers. I have had so many memories to think about. I know your up there with Dad and enjoying Heaven. Love,
Phil
Well Mom it has been 3 years. I still miss you and want to call you each day.I LOVE YOU and DAD
Phil
Dear Mom-
It has been quite a while since you have passed on. I’m sure you’ve heard and had a big part in that I have a new best friend who has healed my heart tremendously. Grace Frances arrived January 2, 2007. She has the same beautiful blue eyes that you did and the same twinkle. She is a joy to our family. Thank you for helping convince Our Lady to help me get my lifelong wish of a little girl. I love you mom and now, because of little Grace Frances, I see a little bit of you every day again!
Mom I now have your blessed Mother, and Yes I am saying the rosary twice a day. The little blue book is so strong in the Catholic church. I have about 7 prayers I say each and every day for our family. Love Phil