Dorothy B Francis

Loved ones and friends gathered together on Sunday August 5, 2018 to celebrate the life of Dorothy B. Francis (born Dorothy Vera Beever) who passed on June 25, 2018 after a short illness. Dorothy was born on July 2, 1929 in a Garden Cottage at a major English Country Estate in Gisburn, County of York in the United Kingdom where her Father served as the Estate's Master Gardener supervising a large staff of English gardeners. From infancy to early adulthood Dorothy's life experience growing up on an English country estate surrounded by fabulous English Gardens; Dorothy developed an insatiable love of nature, animals and gardening. This passion for Mother Nature and animals was an innate part of Dorothy's soul and being. Dorothy was properly educated in the English Tradition of History, the Arts, the Sciences, Literary Studies and Humanities. Her calling to serve drew Dorothy to Study Nursing at the acclaimed Manchester Royal Infirmary earning her credentials as a Registered Nurse serving countless numbers of civilians and military personnel. Her caring and compassionate ways comforted so many in their time of need. Her prescription of choice was a heavy dose of pure optimism with a smile to boot. This is really the essence of Dorothy - her love and compassion in a humble and caring way. Dorothy ventured to the United States in the early 1960's continuing to serve as a nurse after becoming a proud American Citizen. She met her late Husband Donald H. Francis who was living in Akron, Ohio. After a courtship they married on September 14, 1976. As time passed Don's health declined into a prolonged illness for which Dorothy "stepped up to the plate" caring for Don for all those years until his passing on July 24, 1992. Dorothy's nature to serve continued well into her late years. For more than thirteen years Dorothy and her neighbor and cherished friend Mrs. Sylvia "Sybby" Martin volunteered faithfully to the Keep Akron Beautiful Community Program (which is a volunteer gardening program that extends beautification throughout the greater Akron Community). The two women have maintained an "Adopt-A-Site" flowerbed in their West Akron Neighborhood for more than thirteen years. The Mayor of the City of Akron recognized their dedicated hard work by Proclaiming the 30th day of August "Dorothy Francis Day" and "Sylvia Martin Day" in the City of Akron. Their tireless dedication and commitment to floral artistry earned them further recognition by the State of Ohio Beautification Program.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her loving and guiding parents, Tom Beever and Elizabeth (Harrison) Beever, as well as three sisters Alice, Theresa and Marjolie. She is survived by a loving nephew, Simon Beever (spouse Carol); niece, Patricia Ann Whitaker (spouse Graham) of the United Kingdom; niece, Elizabeth Leanne Kennelly of Geneva, Ohio and various great-nieces and great-nephews both here and abroad. Dorothy wanted to be sure to extend special recognition and loving thanks to her gardener, Tony Kulesar; her housekeeper and nutrient coach, Anne Gingrich; dear friend and loving neighbor, Sylvia "Sybby" Martin and, finally, the compassionate and caring staff of Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospice Care Center.

Her love of flowers, animals, nature and the human spirit - are best exemplified by this ancient Navajo Indian prayer for which she wanted to share as one parting gift:

I give you this one thought to keep -
I am with you still - I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone -
I am with you still - in each new dawn.

Please let her optimism of humanity and love of the human soul be the "perennial" gift that Dorothy, the Master Gardener, has given to anyone who knew her ... . "graft it from your soul and pass it along". (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)