Mary Frances Norred Wilburn, 81, passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 26, 2018, after battling the debilitating effects of glaucoma and osteoporosis for the last three years. She was preceded in death by her sons, John and baby Nicholas, her daughter, Mary, as well as parents, brothers and sister. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Ann (Tommy) Johnson, grandchildren Virginia (Donnie) Nowling, John and Jessica Frater (Don Ciesiolka), Laura (Nick)Vazzana, and Stephen Johnson; Great grandchildren Austin, Ned, and Shelby Nowling; Sydney Ciesiolka; and Roselyn and Anthony Vazzana. Nieces, Ann (Herman) Parker, Judy (Roger)Hartley, nephews Norman (Kay) and George (Nancy)Dulaney.

Fran was a graduate of Pensacola High School. She worked for many years at Krispy Creme Donuts, Pensacola Glass Company, Pensacola Airport Security, then for 20 plus years at The Medical Center Clinic as a medical receptionist.

Her greatest achievement in life was the raising of her three children. The Catholic Church had suggested she place her children up for adoption when she found herself a single parent of three under three and pregnant with her fourth in the 1960's. Through hard work and determination, she was able to keep her family intact. How she managed to send us to Catholic School when tuition was nearly as much as our house payment I'll never know. We were clean, our clothes were ironed, our shoes polished, and the house was spotless, all the while working two jobs and going to night school. No matter how dire our circumstances were, Mom said things always seemed to work out. Mom's dedication to hard work was passed down to her children thereby breaking the cycle of poverty. She was the fun mom that took as many kids as could fit in her station wagon to Pensacola Beach on the weekends. She had a generous spirit and loved to shower those she loved with the perfect gift.

She enjoyed excellent health until three years ago when her vision and fragile bones began robbing her of her independence. She fought a hard battle, but like the beautiful lady she was, she knew when it was time to leave. Tommy and I had just bid farewell to Stephen, who shared her May 1st birthday. He literally pulled out of the driveway heading to Cape Canaveral, to begin his USAF life and at that exact moment the call came from Arcadia of mom's passing. Affirmation that as one life ends, another life begins.

Thank you to the loving staff of 5 North, West Florida Hospital, and my Arcadia Health and Rehab Family for taking such great excellent care of my mom. A special thanks to Ann and Herman Parker who made mom's weeks meaningful with visits, food, words of encouragement as well as much needed assistance with doctors appointments. I really could not have done this without you. Thank you also to my Baptist Senior Health work family: Bobby, Carrie, EstherKay, Katrina, Missy, Toni, Sandie, and Sara for allowing me to be exactly where I needed to be during mom's final days.

A celebration of her life with family and friends will be held at a later date.