Frances M. “Fran” Clay, 68, Iola, and formerly of Parsons, passed away Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita. She had been in failing health.
She was born Feb. 9, 1945, in New London, Conn., to Francis Wilfred and Hester Virginia (Herman) Gentile. She grew up and attended school in Connecticut. In 1973, she moved to Parsons and the South Mound area for several years. For a time, she returned to Parsons until moving to Iola in 2008 where she worked for USD 257 as administrative secretary in food service. For more than 22 years, she worked as a secretary in the Athletic Department at Labette Community College in Parsons.
Fran was an avid animal lover, worked in animal shelters and taught dog training classes for many years. She also enjoyed gardening, canning and tending to her flowers. Through the years, she especially enjoyed volunteering at the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility.
She and Larry S. Clay were married in February 1969. They later divorced.
Survivors include one daughter, Jodi Grover and husband, David, Cheney; seven grandchildren, Elijah Grover, Isaiah Grover, Micah Grover, Scott Clay, Courtney Clay-Welch, Anna Davied and Michael Davied.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Todd Clay, on Feb. 20, 1999.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the Labette Community College Foundation or the Allen County Animal Rescue Facility. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.
Frances Clay
