Frances "Fran" Muriel Bawn, 86, of Marietta, died Friday evening, April 7, 2017, at her home. Born February 25, 1931 in Newport, Rhode Island, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Mary Carey Oliver.
After moving to Ohio in 1946, she graduated from Lehman High School in Canton, class of 1949. Fran received her BS in Education from Kent State University, her MS in Education from West Virginia University and had also attended Ohio University.
She was a devout Roman Catholic and a devoted member of The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption. Fran had retired as a public school teacher, having taught in Canton and Marietta Public Schools - including Reno, Marion and Putnam Elementary schools. She was proud to have received the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Award. She was a lifetime member of the Ohio Education Association, Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators and Kappa Delta Pi - International Honor Society in Education.
Fran enjoyed regular lunches with her dear friend Marcia Duck and the "Putnam School Lunch Bunch". She loved attending her Reading Club and volunteering at library book sales. She had extensively travelled the world with her family and especially loved visiting her mother's home island of Pico, Azores. She had volunteered and donated to many charities, including delivering Meals on Wheels right up until being taken ill. Fran fondly remembered all her students with loving care and would always wish the very best for them.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. On July 1, 1950 she married William Winter Bawn, who preceded her in death May 16, 2012. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Helen Medlin, Isabel Kline, Margaret Stein and Alfred Oliver.
Fran is survived by son Damien Oliver Bawn (Martha) of Rockbridge, OH, their children John Gibbs and Gena Lundquist (Mark), parents of Hannah, Maia and Addyson; daughter Diana Marie Bawn (Din Yee) of Medway, MA, parents of Alex Yee (Naomi) and Kate Yee; son Christopher William Bawn (Susan) of Olympia, WA, parents of Philip, Meredith and Victoria; son Loren Francis Bawn of Des Moines, IA, father of Anna; daughter Mary Bawn Kelly of Toronto, Canada, mother of Liam and Francis; son Michael Richard Bawn (Tricia) of Mesa, AZ, parents of Izzy and Tyler; and by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Liturgy, with Mass will be 10:00 am Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption with the Rev. Msgr. John Michael Campbell officiating. Burial will be in New St. Mary's Cemetery. Fran's family will greet friends at the Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home on Tuesday, from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. There will be a Vigil Service at 3:00 pm at the funeral home. It is suggested that donations may be directed to the Basilica of St. Mary, 506 4th Street, Marietta, OH 45750, or to any favorite charity whose purpose is to benefit children.