Patricia Franks

Pat Franks died on Monday morning, January 4, 2022, in a shocking reversal of her previous decision never to do so. She was brilliant and talented and ferocious and indomitable, and a teacher unto her last breath.

A daughter of Newark, she grew up in a magical house full of raucous cousins. Irene put her bassinet out in the back yard while she did the dishes, and Pat looked up at the sun shining through the leaves. She was an artist. Nick made the impossible possible, turning random sticks into Christmas trees, and scraps into feasts. She never gave up. She rejoins them, and countless loving others.

Pat Franks is survived by her baby sister, Elizabeth Coleman, and all of her beautiful children and grandchildren. Aunt Betty, she was so sorry she trapped you in that clothes hamper that time.

She is survived by her brilliant, talented, ferocious, and indomitable granddaughter, Sophia Zierold, and Sophia’s parents, Nicole DeCrescenzo and Fred Zierold. To receive her love was extraordinary.

Pat touched the lives of so many, and she loved her friends. A memorial is envisioned for the spring of 2023. Please reach out to Nicole if you would like to participate.