1960
Franchesca
2011
Franchesca Youngblood-Gilmore
September 8, 1960 — May 22, 2011
Franchesca Youngblood September 8, 1960 - May 22, 2011.
Franchesca Youngblood Gilmore's battle with cancer ended on Sunday, May 22, 2011. She was the fourth of eight children born to Robert and Beatrice Youngblood. Fran grew up in Prince Georges County Maryland, not far from where she and Keith would make their home in Mitchellville.
As with most of the Youngblood children, Fran's first job was delivering the Washington Post along a route near the family's home.
After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1982, Fran parlayed her new education in Kinesiology, as well as the communications skills honed on the paper route, into a successful career in pharmaceutical sales with several major companies. Later, she worked in mortgage banking, sales and eventually in real estate for Long and Foster and Keller Williams.
"She was smart, driven and very persuasive." That is how her husband, Keith describes her.
When a friend who worked at Essence Magazine mentioned that members of the staff were going to Brazil on a cultural tour, Fran ended up being invited as well. When a friend from Kenya invited her to visit her family, Fran spent three weeks in Nairobi, visiting villages, eating fresh chickens from the family's backyard farm and sight seeing.
She loved to travel and have new experiences. "So when any opportunity arose, she'd figure out a way to take it," says Keith.
And while on these trips, Fran was always on the lookout for items that supported one of her main passions, designing and creating what she called "Christmas Villages" in her living room during the holidays. Each year's "Village" was an elaborate collection of figurines, imitation snow, miniature homes and storefronts.
Eventually, Fran's home became a destination for friends, family and neighbors to get into the Christmas spirit.
Fran became active with the American Heart Association, organizing annual fundraising events. Fran was a member of Altrusa International and successfully ran the Marine Corps Marathon. Her passion was simply to help anyone in need.
Fran is survived by her husband, Keith; father and mother, Robert and Beatrice Youngblood; sisters Gwen, Kristina and Lisa; brothers Robert (Robbie), William(Billy), Stefan and Christopher; brothers & sisters in law Colette, Henry, Ronye, Brian & wife Elanna, Michael, Allison and husband Ray.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Greater Mount Nebo AME Church at 1001 Old Mitchellville Rd. Bowie, Md. 20716. Visitation and greetings at 10am. The Memorial Service begins at 11am. Repast will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, Franchesca requested that donations be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at www.ocrf.org
Franchesca Youngblood Gilmore's battle with cancer ended on Sunday, May 22, 2011. She was the fourth of eight children born to Robert and Beatrice Youngblood. Fran grew up in Prince Georges County Maryland, not far from where she and Keith would make their home in Mitchellville.
As with most of the Youngblood children, Fran's first job was delivering the Washington Post along a route near the family's home.
After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1982, Fran parlayed her new education in Kinesiology, as well as the communications skills honed on the paper route, into a successful career in pharmaceutical sales with several major companies. Later, she worked in mortgage banking, sales and eventually in real estate for Long and Foster and Keller Williams.
"She was smart, driven and very persuasive." That is how her husband, Keith describes her.
When a friend who worked at Essence Magazine mentioned that members of the staff were going to Brazil on a cultural tour, Fran ended up being invited as well. When a friend from Kenya invited her to visit her family, Fran spent three weeks in Nairobi, visiting villages, eating fresh chickens from the family's backyard farm and sight seeing.
She loved to travel and have new experiences. "So when any opportunity arose, she'd figure out a way to take it," says Keith.
And while on these trips, Fran was always on the lookout for items that supported one of her main passions, designing and creating what she called "Christmas Villages" in her living room during the holidays. Each year's "Village" was an elaborate collection of figurines, imitation snow, miniature homes and storefronts.
Eventually, Fran's home became a destination for friends, family and neighbors to get into the Christmas spirit.
Fran became active with the American Heart Association, organizing annual fundraising events. Fran was a member of Altrusa International and successfully ran the Marine Corps Marathon. Her passion was simply to help anyone in need.
Fran is survived by her husband, Keith; father and mother, Robert and Beatrice Youngblood; sisters Gwen, Kristina and Lisa; brothers Robert (Robbie), William(Billy), Stefan and Christopher; brothers & sisters in law Colette, Henry, Ronye, Brian & wife Elanna, Michael, Allison and husband Ray.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Greater Mount Nebo AME Church at 1001 Old Mitchellville Rd. Bowie, Md. 20716. Visitation and greetings at 10am. The Memorial Service begins at 11am. Repast will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, Franchesca requested that donations be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at www.ocrf.org
Cemetery Details
Private Interment
Visitation
MAY 28. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Greater Mount Nebo AME Church
1001 Old Mitchellville Road
Bowie, MD, US, 20716
Service
MAY 28. 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Greater Mount Nebo AME Church
1001 Old Mitchellville Road
Bowie, MD, US, 20716
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