Francine D. Wilson, 60, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Milan, died Monday,
Jan. 12, 2009, at her home in Tucson.
Services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 3030 7th
Ave., Rock Island. Burial will be at National Cemetery, Arsenal Island.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. There will be a
memorial service arranged in Tucson at a later date. Memorials may be made
to the family to be designated later.
Francine was born Dec. 9, 1948, in Moline, a daughter of Mary Katsis. She
was a graduate of Rock Island High School in 1966. She married Gerald
L. "Willy" Wilson on May 11, 1974, in East Moline. He preceded her in death
on Nov. 11, 2001.
In young adulthood, Francine was employed at Big T's Party Center. She met
her soulmate Gerald at work and six months later they were married. In 1976,
they welcomed their first child, Bret, and in 1979, they welcomed their
second child, Dena. Francine was a loving and devoted stay at home mother
during many years of their childhood. She loved to garden and worked part-
time at Dingeldein's Gardens in Rock Island. She also was an amazing cook
that included many Greek recipes handed down to her from her mother, Mary.
Francine is a past member of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Rock
Island.
In 1990, aside from being a devoted mother, she went back to school at Black
Hawk College to become a registered nurse. She graduated in 1994 and shortly
thereafter worked for Work Fitness Center at John Deere PDC. In 2003, she
fulfilled a longtime dream to live in the Southwest. She and her daughter
moved to Tucson. She was employed as a nurse for a short time at The
University Medical Center, but a majority of her employment was spent at
Tucson Medical Center.
Francine loved to be around family and friends. She enjoyed taking them out
to her favorite restaurants and having a good laugh. She had a great sense
of humor. She especially looked forward to visits with her grandchildren.
She loved being a grandmother. Francine also had a great love for music and film. She was perfectly content
spending an evening at home watching a movie or listening to an album.
Survivors include her children (and spouses), Bret (Bethany) Wilson,
Bettendorf, and Dena Wilson, Tucson; two grandchildren, Simon and Evan
Wilson, Bettendorf; one brother, Tom (Suzanne) Lenz, Deerfield Beach, Fla.;
several nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends. She was preceded in
death by her husband and mother.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.wheelanpressly.com.