Frances Valeria Brandon

Brandon, Frances Valeria of Bay City, Michigan passed away Sunday, June 19, 2011 at Brian's House surrounded by her family. Age. 81 years. She was born December 28, 1929 in Crump, MI. After recovering from two strokes and a feisty fight with cancer, a final stroke allowed Fran the Journey to be with Jesus and reunite with the love of her life Moe. She finally has the chance to hold her baby Elizabeth Ann in her arms. She graduated from Bad Axe High School in 1948 and moved to Bay City and has resided her all of her life. She was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church where she taught religious education. For twenty years she worked at the school cafeteria and helped in starting the first bingo program and fish fry's. Fran and her husband Moe were involved in the Catholic Faith Movement and later helped develop the Saginaw Diocese Marriage Encounter Movement. She enjoyed camping, working in her garden, planting flowers, playing euchre, cooking for her children, and having morning coffee with her special friends Don and Annie Morse. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by four children; Michael (Diane) Brandon, Paul "Duffy" (Bonnie) Brandon, Pat Brandon, Mary Beth (Walt) Neetz and her adopted daughter; Denise Ryman. Her grandchildren; Carrie (Jim) Wetherell, Kristie (George) Bianco, Nate Brandon, Amber Brandon, Lesley (Paul) Cahill, Patrick (Penny) Brandon, Adam Brandon, Ashley Brandon, Elisa Neetz and her friend David Sherbino and Annaka Neetz, her great grandchildren; Ella and Preston Wetherall, Ayden and Brynley Bianco, Nolan Heid, Caleb and baby to be Violet Cahill and Harmony Brandon, two sisters; Emilie Filary and Ann McLellan and many nieces and nephews. On May 19, 1951 the former Frances V. Piorunek married Frederick "Moe" Brandon and he preceded her in death along with two sisters; Edna Pluto and Mary Dreffs and two brothers; John Pronek and Joseph Piorunek. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church 1008 S. Wenona St. Bay City, MI 48706. Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Robert S. Gohm with the Rite of Committal following in Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin. Friends may call at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. and Cremation Services, Inc. Wednesday from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Vigil for the deceased will take place Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Brandon will be taken to the church on Thursday to lie in state from 9:00 a.m. and until the time of the Mass. For those planning an expression of sympathy the family as that you consider memorials for the "Wishes of the Family" and they will designate a memorial in memory of Mrs. Brandon at a later time to a charity of their choice. www.gephartfuneralhome.com