Kenny, Frances Ann

Born January 2, 1947, Frances Anne Kenny moved on from planet Earth surrounded and supported by her dear, multi-decade friends John Hecht and Cindy Lefton on Tuesday, October 4, 2022.

For all those who knew her, Fran was a smart, brazen, and witty legend who inspired all our lives as long-term friends and family.

Fran grew up in the St. Louis, MO area but traveled the world for both profession and fun.  Fran was a graduate of Washington University in 1992 in Economics and Business Management with honors cum laude.  She had a passion for her work and succeeded in a long and fulfilling career beginning with Emerson Electric in St. Louis, ultimately retiring as Quality Manager with the Emerson Motor Division.  She was an engaging employee well-liked and known by many and developed many lasting friendships beyond the workplace.  After corporate retirement in 2012, she launched her own business as an independent quality assurance consultant and was in very high demand until she took her full and final retirement.  It was only until then that she signed up for Facebook!

Many will remember that Fran suffered for decades from both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis – though one would never know because her pain never slowed her down!  But more significantly, Fran overcame stage 2B ovarian cancer and had lived cancer-free since 2010, a unheard of twelve years during which she really enjoyed her renewed lease on life.  She annually hosted group celebrations at Busch Stadium, supporting the efforts St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness Society.

Fran had the amazing ability to invite others into her world and had a passion and commitment to all her loved ones.  Spectacular at having fun, as many will attest Fran was a great person to get in trouble with – and her numerous escapades served as fodder for hilarious rounds of laughter for years following!!  For those who knew her, she was wise beyond words, sarcastic with a bite, loving like no other, a handful, compassionate and caring, bright and as brilliant as the milky way, stronger than Hercules, but yet afraid of garden snakes, and full of contradictions about food preferences and what and how she would and would not eat.

Fran always had a dog in her life as long as long as everyone can remember, most lately her beloved Golden Labrador, Abra – and shared with many friends a lifelong loyalty to the St. Louis Cardinals.  It goes with notable irony Fran’s passing on the first ever, Yadier Molina Day – October 4th – the day of commemoration for one of her favorite Cardinals players.

Fran is survived by sister Mary and brother in-law Terry Reed from Licking, MO, nephews and niece Aaron Williams (deceased), Nick and Shalon Williams, and Emily Waylon McGuire, and great nieces and nephews Luke, Macy, Kiernan and Kayden and great great niece Kendall.

Fran is also survived by her beloved dog Abra, and an enormously wide circle of friends and acquaintances, most notably including John Hecht and partner Steve Kotsines of St. Louis, MO, VFXW Cindy Lefton of St. Louis, MO, best friends Robbie Johnson of Mount Pleasant, SC, Tracy Kyle of Safety Harbor, FL, Kathy Grossheim of St. Louis, MO, and dearest trusted neighbors in Florissant, MO – Ed Douglas, Heide Douglas, and Cathy Vrabel.

At Fran’s request, she will be cremated with no formal or memorial services; but true to her wild and vivacious spirit, she requested a “Big-Axx party” to celebrate her life, successes and shenanigans, with lots of memories and fun to go around.  Dates and times for this extravaganza will be forthcoming.  On Fran’s behalf, donations to the St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness Society (https://www.sloca.org) would be welcome to assist other women afflicted with the challenge.

Brassy broad with quick wit and a heart of gold, a personality described in a George Thorogood song, best friend and VFXW, dearest blue-eyed Frances Ann may you be free of pain and full of Barolo until we all join you to party down on the other side.