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| Linda and kidney donor brother Tom at the Perrysville Dairy near the family farm |
Obituary of Linda Franko
Marathon,
Florida- Linda Ann Franko, 70, died unexpectedly and peacefully on
Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Linda felt so fortunate to fulfill her
lifelong dream of living aboard a boat with her husband Steve and
traveling the Great Lakes, the waterways of the Midwest, the Gulf of
Mexico, the eastern seaboard and Canada. Linda enjoyed adventures
with a “Why Not?” attitude and made plenty of new friends, many
becoming like family. Steve and Linda wintered at Marathon Key,
Florida, on their boat so appropriately named “Yesterday’s
Dream.” Linda was exactly where she wanted to be, on her boat and
with her husband Steve of 49 years, when she passed away.
Born in
Ashland, Ohio on September 20, 1949, Linda grew up on a farm in Ohio
with four brothers and her parents, the late Warren and Leona
(Grosswiller) Drouhard. She was a 1967 graduate of Loudonville High
School, and a 1971 graduate of the University of Dayton with a
Bachelor of Education – Mathematics degree. In 1971 Linda married
Steve Franko of Cleveland, Ohio. She became a mother in 1974 and
stayed home to raise her two daughters until 1984. She then attended
The Ohio State University and was a 1985 graduate with a Master of
Arts in Mathematics Degree, which led to a 25 year career as a
mathematics instructor. Linda and Steve lived in the northern Ohio
communities of Norton, Galion, South Euclid near Cleveland, and
Sagamore Hills. Linda taught mathematics at Lexington High School and
completed her career as a Mathematics instructor and Chair of the
Mathematics Department at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland,
Ohio. She led the college’s transition to computer assisted
instruction of mathematics. She enjoyed connecting with students and
finding ways to build their confidence in themselves and in math.
Strong minded
is an understatement when it came to Linda, but she never took
herself too seriously. She had a wonderful sense of humor that
brought smiles to the faces of those fortunate enough to become close
to her. She was a tenacious problem solver, whether it was in the
classroom, working on the diesel engine of their boat, researching
anything on the internet, planning her next trip, or winning at video
games. That is perhaps why she was an inspiration to others as she
overcame many physical challenges successfully while never
complaining. She loved teaching, visiting with her family, and
spending time on the boat with Steve. Her spirit of adventure was
captured in her blog steveandlindafranko.blogspot.com highlighting
their trips, finding ways to get together with family, and making
many lifelong friends along the way.
In addition
to her husband of 49 years, Linda is survived by daughters Wendy
(Lieutenant Colonel Matt Limbert USMC Ret.) Limbert of Encinitas,
California and Rebecca Franko of Studio City, California,
respectively and brothers Colonel Warren (Elin) Drouhard, Jr. (USAF
Ret.) of Lexington, Ohio, Dr. Thomas Drouhard of Flagstaff, Arizona,
Patrick (Becky) Drouhard of Cardington, Ohio, Richard (Diane)
Drouhard of Perrysville, Ohio, and numerous nieces and nephews. She
was preceded in death by her parents.
Linda and
Steve are forever grateful to Linda’s brothers, all of whom offered
to donate a kidney to her and especially Tom, who in 1985 unselfishly
donated one of his kidneys to her and enabled her to live such an
accomplished and wonderful life.
Due to
COVID#19 restrictions, no memorial service will be held at this time.
Celebration of Life services will be held at a future date, one in
Florida and one in Ohio.
Due to the
COVID#19 shutdown in the Florida Keys, Steve is residing on his boat
at:
Banana Bay
Marina- Franko Slip 8
4590 Overseas
Hwy
Marathon, FL
33050
email:
sfrankbb@gmail.com
Linda's
family would appreciate donations to reflect a connection between
Tom's 37 years as a a surgeon on the Navajo Reservation, Tuba City
and Linda's commitment to education. The American Indian College Fund
does just that. Donations will be designated for scholarships and can
be made at:
American
Indian College Fund
Re:
Linda Franko Memorial Scholarship Fund (0076)
8333
Greenwood Blvd.
Denver,
Colorado 80221
Phone:
303-426-8900
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