Frances "Fran"

Shippy

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Frances "Fran" Shippy

Jan 27 1930 - Jan 21 2016

Frances “Fran” Shippy, age 85, of Denton, Texas, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2016 after a blessedly brief battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).  She was born January 27, 1930, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Francis Frank and Lillian Lorraine (Webber) Lingan. On August 16, 1952 Fran married her tall, handsome sailor, Chester Leroy Shippy, who was stationed at the naval base in Corpus Christi, Texas.  As their children, Cathy and Jay, grew up, she worked during school hours only in retail sales for J. C. Penny for over 30 years in Richardson, Texas. She was always home for her kids and “June Cleaver” and “Lucy Ricardo” rolled into one. She was fun loving, creative, and a loving mother, grandmother and wife.

Her greatest love and joy were her family and friends. Fran and Chet created a wonderland of fun and many memories for their children and grandchildren. Family vacations to Colorado, New Mexico, South Padre Island, the East Coast, Florida, and many other destinations will never be forgotten. Spending hours at play days, horse shows, sporting events, and family gatherings were the fabric of their lives. Their evenings spent playing cards and dominoes with the Davenports, the Bettleys, and many more of their large circle of friends brought them much happiness.

Their small farm in Fairview, Texas provided their grandchildren days of fun. Swimming in the pool, riding horses, playing with her big yellow labs, driving the golf cart (bought just for them), and holidays filled special traditions and love were her greatest gifts. The holiday traditions of spreading magic reindeer hay on the front lawn, Santa stomping on the roof and bags of gifts being dropped from his sleigh, were all part of the magic she created for them.

Fran was athletic and enjoyed tennis, hiking the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico on family vacations, walking the beaches of Padre Island, surf fishing, camping, and swimming. She spent endless hours riding with her family on their horses and taking care of them with Chet. Her love of travel took her to Europe on several occasions and she particularly loved Wales. She crossed Canada on a train, toured the wilds of Alaska, cruised through the Panama Canal and parasailed on the beaches of Mexico. Fran and Chet enjoyed Las Vegas, Silver City and Tahoe, where they visited the casinos. She loved adventure and sought fun in everything she did!

She was a football fan who loved watching the Dallas Cowboys and numerous Texas college teams. Fran never missed getting in on a game pool. She enjoyed swimming at the local natatorium every week and spending time volunteering and traveling with her friends at the Allen Senior Center. She loved animals and the outdoors. The numerous family dogs, cats and horses were loved and well cared for by her.

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy Tedrick Kerley and husband Dr. Dirk Kerley of Denton, Texas; son, Jay Shippy and wife Claire of Rowlett, Texas; grandchildren, Katie Tedrick Sherrard and husband Preston of Argyle, Texas, Allie Shippy of Rockwall, Texas, Tracie Shippy also of Rockwall, Texas, Connor Tedrick of Denton, Texas; Sister, Ruth Hoff of Tulsa, Oklahoma and her cat, Mitzy.

Fran is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Chester “Chet” Leroy Shippy; parents, Francis “Frank” and Lillian Lingan; brother, Francis Frank Lingan, II; and sister, Nita Roberts.

In lieu of flowers, if you so desire, gifts in her memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/SJFile/MemHonorForm.pdf , a local animal shelter or rescue organization, or charity of your choice.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel in Allen, Texas.  Interment will follow at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, Texas.  The family will receive friends during a visitation one hour prior to the service.

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Memorials

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