Frances M. Joseph

Funeral services for Frances Margaret Joseph, 94, Lawrence will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

Frances passed away on Friday, February 19, 2016 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community. She was born on August 24, 1921 in Hartford, CT, the daughter of Charles Stone and Margaret Gallup. Frances graduated from Norwich Free Academy June 13, 1939.

It was during high school she witnessed “The 1938 Long Island Express”, one of the most devastating hurricanes of the century. She told stories of going to the local bridges and watching as the waters rose.

In 1943-44 Frances worked at the Electric Boat Co. in New London, CT. At the time she was a “Rosie the Riveter” welding on U.S. submarines during WWII. It was at this time that she met Billy Joe Joseph, a local sailor. They were united in marriage on Feb. 10, 1945 in Norwich, CT, and remained married until his death in 2004.

During this period she worked in nursing in Vallejo, CA, San Francisco, West Plains, MO, and Pittsburgh, KS before settling in Lawrence in the 1950s. Her interests were family, friends, bird watching, especially cardinals, and her favorite candy M & Ms.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Billy Joe, brother, Charlie and sister, Agnes. Survivors include her son Jeff (Robin) and grandson Nick, all of Lawrence; sister-in- law Ruth of Wartburg, TN; and many nieces and nephews.

She had many friends from the local walking groups at the downtown mall and finally the East Lawrence Recreational Center. She will be sadly missed by family and friends.

Memorials may be made in her name to Grace Hospice of Lawrence and Topeka, KS and may be sent in care of the mortuary.