Frances "Fran" M. Clay

Frances "Fran" M. Clay, 66 of Cherryvale died at 5:25 A.M. Thursday, May 30, 2013 at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.Celebration of Life Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday, June 3, 2013 at Cherryvale Presbyterian Church with Pastor John Chastain, officiating." Friends may sign the register book form 12 Noon until 8:00 P.M. Sunday at Wickham Family Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M." Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery.Memorial remembrances are suggested to the American Cancer Society and may be left or mailed to Wickham Family Funeral Home, 216 E. 4th Street, Cherryvale, Kansas.Biographical information will follow at a later date.Frances Marie Clay was born May 25, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the daughter of Frank J. Dzikowski and Mary C. (Holovachuk)." She grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated from Frankford High School in 1964.On June 6, 1976 in Cherryvale she was united in marriage to James D. Clay and he survives at the home.In her earlier years she worked in advertising in Pennsylvania having the opportunity to work with famous people like Frank Zappa and Bob Dylan among others.Fran later attended Pittsburg State University and graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor"s Degree and in 1989 received her Master"s Degree." She taught for 20 years at Meadowview Elementary in the Labette County USD #506 School District." In 1996 she was the recipient of the Pittsburg State University Master Teacher of the Year Award." Changing children"s lives is something she will be remembered in her many years of teaching." Her class projects each year included adoption of endangered species such as Whales, Dolphins and Polar Bears. And also purchased 20 acres of rain forest in South America to remain unspoiled.Survivors include husband Jim of the home, two sons, Zachary Clay of Pittsburg, Kansas, Nathan Clay of Overland Park, Kansas, sister, Dorothy J. Orr of National Park, New Jersey, brother, Anthony J. Dzikowski and grandsons Daniel and Reese.She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Thomas Dzikowski.