Obituary of Eleanor B. Franks

Eleanor Bauernschmidt Franks, 100, of Lakewood and Chautauqua, died peacefully at home on Sunday, February 22, 2015. An area resident since 1947, she was born September 24, 1914 in Baltimore, MD, the daughter of Carl Edward and Louisa Mooyer Bauernschmidt. She was valedictorian of her high school class and completed the five-year nursing program at the University of Rochester, where she also studied voice at the Eastman School of Music. She moved to Jamestown with her husband, the late Dr. Myron B. Franks, when he was persuaded by Dr. James P. B. Goodell to set up his ophthalmology practice here. Active in the First Presbyterian Church, she was one of the first women elders and served as Clerk of Session. She was a soloist in the choir, head of the music committee, served on the organ renovation committee and on a pastor nominating committee. She was passionately interested in music and was a member of the Mozart Club for 55 years. She also served on the board of the Jamestown Concert Association. Chautauqua was a large part of her life. She was a member and president of the Bird, Tree and Garden Club, served on the music scholarship committee of the Women's Club, and was active with Presbyterian House, acting as treasurer for many years. She was an avid grandmother, reader, birder, bridge player, gourmet cook and hostess, and worker of word puzzles. She and her late husband enjoyed travelling throughout the US, Europe and Africa. They were keen salmon and trout fishermen enjoying trips to Arctic Quebec, Wales, and Iceland. Her intense interest in her family and friends was shown in her effortless and frequent handwritten notes. Her husband of 66 years, Dr. Myron B. Franks, predeceased her in 2008. She is survived by four children: Louise Franks of St. Louis, MO, Susan (Frederic) Buse of Loudonville, NY, John (Patty) Franks of Falconer, NY and Dr. Edward Franks of Albany, NY; a granddaughter, Emilie Buse of Harrison, NY; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Bauernschmidt, of Cleveland, OH. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 28 in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Robert J. Hagel will officiate. Friends will be received from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 26 in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Eleanor B. Franks Fund for the Opera, c/o Chautauqua Foundation, P.O. Box 28, Chautauqua, NY 14722; or the Jamestown Audubon Society, 1600 Riverside Rd. or the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 311 Curtis St., both Jamestown, NY 14701.