Woodlawn Funeral Home Obituaries

Frances Elizabeth Shoemaker , Age: 94

August 26, 1928 - February 19, 2023

Frances (Fran) Elizabeth Shoemaker, 94, passed away on February 19, 2023. She was born on August 26,

1928, in Mt. Vernon, Washington. She graduated from Mount Vernon Union High School in 1946. She

and her girlfriends were affectionately known as “The Chicks of ‘46”! After graduating she went on to

study journalism at the University of Oregon. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.

Frances met her husband, Don, at the First Baptist Church when she was home on summer break from

college. They were married on June 18, 1948, and were married one day shy of 74 years. Fran and Don

raised three children, Nicolette (Nicki), Thomas (Tom), and Donald Jr. (Bud). From Mt. Vernon the

family relocated to Wenatchee, Washington and then to University Place, Washington. After

Nicki and Tom graduated from high school, Fran, Don, and Don, Jr. moved to Albuquerque, New

Mexico for the next 20 years. Fran worked as a property manager for a large development in

Albuquerque. In 1991, Fran and Don relocated to Lacey, Washington after they had both

retired. Fran spent time volunteering in Nicki’s 4th grade classroom at Tenino Elementary

School. For 23 years, Fran and Don were property managers of two mobile home parks in Lacey.

Fran was an avid collector of Department 56 lighted houses and had an extensive collection of

Dickens Village which she proudly displayed year-round. She and Don were also part of a

Department 56 collector’s club, Village Traders, for many years. Fran loved to read mysteries

and even read all the Harry Potter collection! She was a supporter of her grandchildren and

great grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities.

Fran was predeceased by her husband Donald Shoemaker, her parents Roland and Lavena

Thomas, and daughter in-law Vici Shoemaker. She is survived by her daughter Nicki Martonik

(Don), and sons Thomas Shoemaker (Nancy) and Don Shoemaker, Jr. (Kathleen). She is also

survived by grandchildren Amy Russell (Ryan), Jami Peterson (Jason), Rebecca Fitzpatrick

(Thomas), Matthew Shoemaker (Jenny), Christian Shoemaker, and nine great grandchildren,

Cole, Blake, Ava, Bailey, Cassia, Tori, Addy, Milly, and Hayes, and her cousin Mary Lou Leach of

Burlington, Washington.

The Shoemaker and Martonik family would like to thank A Big Heart Adult Family Home for the

loving care provided to Fran her last few months.

A celebration of Life will be held on July 15, 2023, at 12 pm at the Mountain Greens Clubhouse

located at 5280 55th Lane SE, Lacey, WA 98503. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations

be made to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Tacoma, Washington, or Feline Friends, Olympia,

Washington.

Additional Service: Celebration of Life

Location: Mountain Green Community Clubhouse

Address: 5280 55th Ln. SE

City: Lacey

State: WA

Zip Code: 98503

Date of Service: July 15, 2023

Time of Service: 12:00 PM

Additional Information: No Additional Information Added

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