Francine Heidorn

Mass of Christian Burial for Francine Heidorn, age 66, of Mentor-on-the-Lake, will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church 7575 Bellflower Rd., Mentor.

Mrs. Heidorn passed away Thursday, December 12, 2013 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Fran remained a beacon of smiles and love, gracefully defying the odds until the very end. She was born February 26, 1947 in Cleveland to the late Frank and Yolanda Anelli. She graduated from Ursuline Academy of the Sacred Heart and worked as a teller at Key Bank, where she met Gary Heidorn, her husband and rock of 39 years. Fran will be remembered for her kind heart, loving personality, and willingness to laugh and dance. Those close to her will miss the ridiculously fun nicknames she created for everyone and everything around her, including family cars and Thanksgiving turkeys. In addition to enjoying time spent with family, Fran loved owls, Elvis Presley, and Craft Night with her girlfriends…even though she rarely produced actual crafts herself.

Survivors include her husband Gary; son Geoff of Mentor-on-the-Lake; daughter Suzy (Rich) Parubrub of Nashville, TN; sisters Maureen (Mike) Sabbagh of Mooresville, NC and Judy (Tom) Hruby of Mentor; sister-in-law Carolyn Heidorn of Mentor; and many loved nieces, nephews and extended family. She is also survived by the fond memories of her that will live on in our hearts.

Family will receive friends 4-8 p.m. Monday at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home 4154 Clark Ave., Willoughby. Interment Mentor Cemetery, Mentor.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions be made to Senior Independence Home Care, 38879 Mentor Ave., Willoughby OH 44094 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Online obituary at www.davisbabcock.com