Nancy Anne Conde Franke passed away in her home on May 28, 2013. She was born to Francis and Mary Brandon Conde on May 27, 1945 and her childhood was spent in Texas, Oklahoma, and California. She obtained her undergraduate degree from North Texas State University.

Nancy's first "real" job was working for the Sacramento Bee newspaper and her love for the written word grew throughout her life time. There were many facets to her writing from the mundane work of editing publications for North Texas State University, to being editor and owner of The Lake Area Argus newspaper, to being published in many journals and newspapers, and most recently writing and editing the Denton Senior Center monthly newspaper. Her greatest and proudest accomplishment as a writer came in 2012 when her first novel, Senior Center Shakedown, was published.

Along with her love for writing, she had a love for helping people. She worked in service related jobs such as Volunteer Coordinator for Ann's Haven Hospice and Recreation Specialist for the Lewisville and Denton Senior Centers. Nancy volunteered her time and talent as a Master Gardner to help landscape many Habitat for Humanity homes in the area. She helped to design and landscape the garden at the Denton Senior Center and was recently honored when the rose garden was dedicated as the Nancy Franke Rose Garden. She helped to form the Krum Writers' Club, served on the board of Hearts for Homes, and was an active member of the Krum United Methodist Church.

During her 39 years in Denton County, she made countless friends, some of whom became like family. They were at her side during her long and hard-fought battle with lung cancer. It is those friends who helped her to stay at home and die with dignity and courage and their sacrifice and love will never be forgotten.

Nancy was also a proud grandmother of her five grandchildren. She was the best friend to her daughter, and the loving mother to her son. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Gregory, her parents, and two grandsons. She is survived by her daughter and son--in-law, Tola and Patrick Plusnick; her son, Kurt Franke; grandchildren William, Matthew, and Makenzie Plusnick and Jason and Lyndsay Franke; brother and sister-in-law, Kelly and Carma Smith; her brother, Dan Robinson; her cousin, Glenda Smith; and her aunt, June Spencer.

Nancy's memorial service will be 2pm on Friday, May 31 at the Krum United Methodist Church. Memorial gifts made be made to Hearts for Homes, 1012B N. Masch Branch Rd., Denton, TX 76207 or the Krum United Methodist Church.