Our legendary "Granny Franny" was born in 1928 to Cecilia and Roland Devlin, and raised with her brother Roy Watson in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a young woman Fran headed west, pursuing an education in Medical Laboratory Technology in Regina, Saskatchewan before moving to Calgary and falling in love with a tall, red-headed Ontario farm boy named Don McDonald. They were married in 1954 and honeymooned in the Inland Northwest before settling in Cranbrook and welcoming two daughters. Enchanted by the area, they soon returned to Spokane and added three more children to their now international family. Their house on Wedgewood became

a cornerstone of the close-knit neighborhood, where Franny was one of the Grande Dame Moms for over 65 years. While she and Don were busy raising their brood, Fran worked nights in the lab at Sacred Heart Hospital, but always felt drawn to a career as a nurse. At the tender age of 61, Fran graduated from SCC School of Nursing; whenever asked about her rigorous choice for a second career, Fran casually replied that it was "just something that I always wanted to do." After 15 years, retirement brought Fran an exceptionally busy social calendar which included numerous volunteer gigs, winning big at the bridge table, holding court at neighborhood gatherings, or traveling to idyllic Ma-Me-O Beach, AB to visit our Canadian cousins. Her grands and great-grands loved having a very active and involved Granny Franny, who never missed a recital or game, and whose cookie jar was always full. Her recipes for

Christmas Shortbread, Broccoli Cheese Soup, and Date Cake will live on in the kitchens, hearts, and bellies of her family and friends. Always up for a shopping trip, a chat over a glass of Radius Chardonnay, or the chance to root for her beloved Zags, Granny Franny enjoyed a long and love-filled life. She lived her Catholic faith every day and died peacefully on July 14th, 2024; we take comfort in remembering that she had a powerful impact on more lives than we know.

Fran is predeceased by her husband Don and grandchildren Calleen and Felipe, and survived

by her children Jeannie, Paddy (David), Rick ( Becky), Kate, and Kevin ( Teresa), grandchildren Greg ( Kelli) , Paul, Lucy (Andy), Greta ( Zach) , Sam ( Molly), Burt ( Riley), Connor ( Emily), Devin , and Stephanie ( Gibby) , and great-grands Hank, Walt, Delilah, Fern, and Violet.

Visitation will take place at Holy Cross Funeral Home, 7111 N. Division on Friday, July 26th from 3 -5 pm, followed by a Rosary at St. Thomas More Catholic Church at 6 p m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated a t St. Thomas More on Saturday, July 27th at 1 1 a m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Transitions, 3128 N. Hemlock St. Spokane WA 99205.

Her online memorial page can be found at www.holycrossofspokane.org