Obituary of Mary Ione France

FRANCE -- Mary Ione France, 72, Bloomington, IL passed away on November 22, 2012, in Reston VA. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held on January 19, 2013, at 11:00am, at the 2nd Presbyterian Church, Bloomington , IL. A private family burial will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, www.arthritis.org. Mary was born on January 15, 1940 in Shelbyville, IL. She was the daughter of Dr. John T France and Freda (Sutton) France. She grew up in Bloomington, IL and attended college at Colorado State University. It was there that she was married and subsequently raised three children while traveling throughout the United States, before resettling in Bloomington, IL. She enjoyed golf, gardening and quilting. She was an avid reader and an active member of the Red Hat Society. In August of 2011, she moved to Great Falls, VA to be closer to her son and his family. Here she enjoyed time with her grandchildren until she passed away on a sunny Thanksgiving morning. Mary is survived by her daughters, Vicki L. Gates and April A. Gates; son, Eric T. Gates, and 3 grandchildren, Mary Margaret, Thomas, and Danelle. Additionally, she leaves behind her three sisters, Joan Douty, Kathy Owens, and Amy France as well as seven nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be offered to the family at mifrance@verizon.net.