Frances "Fran" Stone

Frances “Fran” Stone 1942 – 2025

Mom, Grandma, Bargain Hunter Extraordinaire, Teller of Inappropriate Jokes, and Lifetime People Watcher

With a heavy heart—and a lingering smile—we share that our beloved mom, Fran Stone, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, surrounded by love, her fiercely loyal companion, Rascal, and a suspicious number of candy wrappers for a diabetic.

After facing down more medical diagnoses than WebMD could track, Mom decided she’d had enough of co-pays, IV drips, and being poked like a pincushion. In true Fran fashion, she called the shots one last time and chose to spend her final days exactly how she wanted: at home, with family, comfort food, and a healthy dose of sarcasm.

Let’s be honest, Fran was an acquired taste. In her own words, she could be “a bitch,” but she loved the only way she knew how: fiercely, loudly, and without apology. You always knew where you stood with her and if you didn’t, give it five minutes, she’d let you know.

She was also the reason Dollar Tree is probably filing for bankruptcy as we speak. Her unmatched ability to turn $20 into 47 items (plus tax) was both legendary and inexplicable. The aisles won’t be the same without her.

Fran had many pastimes, but her favorites were "people watching" and telling stories from her days as a first responder. Whether it was a stranger's questionable outfit at the mall or a tale from the back of an ambulance, she had commentary and usually sound effects. Her storytelling could leave an entire room crying with laughter or wide-eyed in disbelief. Often both.

She had a knack for telling jokes just off-color enough to make her nieces, nephews, and grandkids gasp, laugh, and occasionally snort soda out their noses. Her comedic timing was so good, it should’ve had its own Netflix special.

Fran also found wonder in the most unexpected places—like the grocery cart escalator at Target, which she could watch for hours with the fascination of a toddler seeing fireworks for the first time. “It’s carrying the cart - but not the people!” she’d marvel, every single time.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Sarah; her mother Frances; her brothers James and John; and her sister Elizabeth—all of whom we assume greeted her with cocktails and sarcastic remarks.

She leaves behind her children, Sherry (Gregg), Jesse (Kim), and Lu (Lorin); grandchildren, Clarissa (Alex), Brandon (Julia), Jacob, and Jared; great-grandchildren, Jody, Phoebe, Levi, and Zelda; sister, Sandy (Mark); and a battalion of nieces, nephews, and extended family—each with at least three stories that begin with, “One time Aunt Farn said…”

In accordance with her wishes (and because she didn’t want anyone “standing around crying over a potato salad”), there will be no formal service. A small family celebration of life will be held later—featuring loud laughter, Dollar Tree paper plates, and per Fran’s one and only request: a bonfire and s’mores.

We’re incredibly grateful for the love, memories, and support shared with our family. Fran may have left the building, but she also left us with a thousand hilarious stories, a purse full of cut-out coupons, and the firm belief that life should always be approached with humor, heart, and just a touch of rebellion.

Rest well, Mom. Heaven’s not ready for you—but we’re pretty sure they’re already laughing.