My memories of Fran are so diverse that I'll do separate vignettes. When my son Roban was eleven, Fran insisted that I bring him along with me to a conference she had organized for African women parliamentarians. And she used her own money to help pay for his ticket to make it possible.

At the Mt. Kenya Safari Club, where the event took place, children under 12 were banished to a separate eating place. "Now, Roban," Auntie Fran said before we went into the main dining room, "you are 12. If anyone asks, you are 12."

"But I'm not 12," said Roban, horrified. "You have to be 12 to go in there. It's a rule. (He was a bit of a stickler for rules at that age.)

"Roban," said Fran, stooping down, putting a hand on each of his shoulders and looking right into his eyes, "sometimes you have to break the rules to get something done." It was one of so many life lessons our boys learned from Fran over the years.

I had met Fran when she was Director of the Congressional Black Caucus and thought she had decided to leave it rather suddenly. Both personally and as a reporter, I liked her being there because she always spoke to me with a direct honesty rare on Capitol Hill. I wondered tentatively in a conversation with her, why she was leaving; what she planned to do next. Well, she replied, you always have to be true to the best in yourself. I don’t think there was ever a time when she wasn’t true to the best in herself, and her best was truly extraordinary.

I first met Fran as a teenager, and my early memories of her are as possibly the coolest person in the world and a tireless advocate on behalf of (my) adolescent rights. She helped me learn about the world, spent time writing numerous letters of recommendation, and served as an example of how to live an engaged, analytical life. Later, when I was in college, she took me out to dinner every time she came through town, and continued to provide both invaluable advice and a shoulder to lean on. She taught me a great deal, but always gently, gracefully and graciously.

There are already so many wonderful stories about Fran here from those who loved her all over the world. They are a testament to how many lives she touched and how many people she inspired. I count myself lucky to be one of those people and to have grown up knowing such a kind, courageous, and unusual person. Many of my memories of Fran are from my early childhood and the times I spent with her in Kenya. She took me on safari and shared my amazement at the animals I was seeing for the first time. I remember how much fun she was to be with and how she listened to me (even as a young child) with respect and love. I will always be grateful for my times with her.

I met Fran when I was young and was inspired by her and had long standing admiration for her. My colleagues and I at The Whitaker Group were deeply saddened to learn of Fran’s passing. As TWG’s Director of Public Affairs, she brought a warm spirit and the kind of wisdom that can only be attained through hard work and a selfless commitment to bettering the lives of others. She shared our passion for Africa and was always prepared to go the extra mile to ensure that Africa’s interests were well served in Washington. As one of our senior staff, she was a great mentor and example to the younger women in the TWG office who were just embarking upon their careers. Our deepest sympathy goes to her mother, daughter, grandchildren and extended family.

Rosa Whitaker and The Whitaker Group

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Fran's untimely passing.

She joined NDI's team in Nigeria a few years after I left. I quickly became friends with her during my subsequent visits to Abuja, and I stayed with her for a few weeks in 2004. I remember getting off the plane and showing up at her house as a tired and hungry graduate student, and her cooking me an amazing dinner even though it was late at night. We saw each other a few times after she returned to the DC area.

I valued her friendship and mentorship and I will miss her greatly.

Fondly, Carl

Fran was one of my most outstanding students, I was her biology teacher at Carver High School, Columbus, Ga. She, another classmate and I made several trips to Tuskegee(Institute) University visiting the George Washington Carver Foundation to extract DNA from pecans as we prepared for the Regional Science Fair in Columbus(1963-64). Fran won 2nd place in the regional. So many fantastic memories come to mind as I think of Fran. I want to thank God for Fran's families and to let them know that we are so blessed to have known her.