franceshunter

Frances G. Hunter

Frances Grace Hunter of Coconut Grove, FL died peacefully on November 24, 2006. Born May 12, 1926 in Pasadena, CA to Frank C. and Catherine W. Hunter. Fran was the youngest of 4 siblings. The family moved to McKeesport in 1935, where Fran lived until moving to Coconut Grove in 1952. She was a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in graphic design and worked as a commercial artist her entire career. She was a catalogue illustrator for the G.C. Murphy Co. in McKeesport for 6 years. Upon moving to Florida, she worked in the art dept. of Richards Dept. Store for 10 years before working freelance. Her main account was Burdines Dept. Store. When she retired she devoted her time to family, travel, and her longtime companion Howard Park. Her interests were many and varied and she was a unique and engaging person. Fran’s passion was history and genealogy. As an active member of the D.A.R. Cape Florida Chapter, she served as regent several times. She was also a member of The Genealogical Society Greater Miami, for whom she designed their chapter banner, the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, South Park Historical Society, McKeesport Heritage Center, and was a Charter Member of First Families of Pennsylvania. In 1996, she and fellow genealogists Eliza Rudin, Ann McFadden, Ann Chesney, Harriet Lisles, and Larry Wiggins researched and published a book to co-ordinate with the Centennial Celebration of the City of Miami called “Miami Diary 1896”. It was a compilation of daily events in the first year of the city.

Fran was pre-deceased by longtime companion Howard M. Park, brother Bill Hunter, sister Catherine Svenson, and nephews Frank Hunter and Byron Svenson. She leaves behind her sister, Jean Burstrom, sister-in-law Betty Hunter, nieces Linda Stoddard (Dick), Catherine Dean (Ron), Sue Ann Singer (Keith), nephews Bill Hunter (Louise), Frank Svenson (Tina), 12 great nieces and nephews, 14 great great nieces and nephews, devoted friends Pedro and Delfina Chavez and many dear family and friends.We were blessed to have her in our lives and she will be sorely missed. According to her wishes, there will be no service and her ashes will be scattered at sea. To those inclined, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice.