Celebrating the life of
Frances Scaggs Leighton
November 11, 1932 - March 09, 2009
FRANCES S. LEIGHTON
Frances S. Leighton died at Hospice Savannah Monday morning, March 9, 2009. Fran was born on November 9, 1932 in Fulton Maryland to her late parents Melvin and Myrtle Scaggs. In high school Fran was active in 4-H activities and in 1948 she was selected Farm Queen of Howard County, Maryland. She attended Western Maryland College on a teaching scholarship. Following graduation she married Richard Leighton and taught math and science for two years at Catonsville, Maryland Junior High School. When her husband began Navy service she taught another half year in Escambia County, Florida.
Fran had a life-long passion for art education. She became a docent at the Columbus Ohio Art Museum in the early 1960s and continued for 23 years at the Toledo Museum of Art where she was designated a Master Docent, and subsequently a Docent Emeritus. When she moved to the Landings in 1997 she became a docent at the Telfair Museum of Art. For the past two years she arranged and publicized "Artist of the Month" exhibitions for the Landings Art Association.
Fran was actively involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren. With her husband she enjoyed travel experiences, visiting most of the major countries. An avid golfer, she was a member of the Landings Womens Golf Association. She was a faithful member of the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her loving husband, Richard F. Leighton, M.D. of Savannah and by two sisters, Doris Ritter and Mary Kane, two brothers, J. Elwood Scaggs and David Scaggs and by her aunt Lillian Milstead, all residents of Maryland. Fran is also survived by her three children, Dr. Kimberly Leighton and husband Dr. Clinton Wolboldt of Ransom Canyon, TX, Brian Leighton and wife Tina Kluetmeier of Philadelphia and by Fred Leighton of Portage OH. Fran has three grandchildren, Frances M. Leighton, a student at Baylor University and Abigail Rose and William Henry Leighton of Philadelphia.
There will be a visitation at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, 7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah on Thursday evening, March 12, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Skidaway Island United Methodist Church on Friday, March 13, 2009 at 11 a.m.
Donations, in lieu of flowers in remembrance of Fran may be made to the Richard F. and Frances S. Leighton Scholarship at the University of Toledo Foundation, Driscoll Center, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo OH 43606-3395, to the Skidaway Island Untied Methodist Church, 54 Diamond Causeway, Savannah GA. 31411 or the Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA. 31416-0190
FOX AND WEEKS FUENRAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPEL
Please sign our guestbook online at www.foxandweeks.com
Dear Dr. Leighton, Pete told me that he loved what your children had to say and what a tribute that was to beautiful Fran. Love to you and all her precious family, Linda Temesy-Armos
- linda temesy-armos, perrysburg, OH
Dear Dick Kim,Brian,Fred & families, We are distressed to hear of Fran's passing.She was truly a treasure brightening the world around her. We send you all our deepest sympathy. Amir and Gussie
- Amir and Augusta Askari, Toledo, Ohio, OH
Dear Dick, Nancy and I were saddened to hear of Fran's death. Our sympathies go out to you. To be sure our thoughts and prayers are with you. Joel and Nancy
- Joel Zrull, Maumee, OH
May you find comfort in your loving memories of Fran. She was always a special supporter of Satellites during the years she shared with us. Her knowledge of art was of great value to us during the ICE Imaginative Creation Exhibit projects. Peace and Blessings. Lynn and Paul Brand
- Lynn and Paul Brand, Toledo, OH
Dear Dick, Our most sincere condolences with the loss of Frances. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time; we wish you and your family all the best. Dini and Herman
- Dini & Herman Schut, Toledo, OH
Dear Dick, Our most sincere condolences with the loss of Frances. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time; we wish you and your family all the best. Dini and Herman
- Dini & Herman Schut, Toledo, OH
Dear Dick, Our most sincere condolences with the loss of Frances. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time; we wish you and your family all the best. Dini and Herman
- Dini & Herman Schut, Toledo, OH
Recall it as often as you wish; a happy memory never wears out.' Our beginnings in Toledo will always be sprinkled with fondness and laughter thinking of you both. Fran always made you feel as if you belonged. You found yourself a gem. Our affections at this time.
- Chris & Suzi Bork, Holland, OH
Dr. Leighton, We were both so sad to hear of Fran's death. She was always such a gracious and friendly person. She always made you feel at home and welcome. Our condolences to you and your family and our prayers are with all of you.
- John & Kate McGreevey, Monclova, OH
Dr. Leighton, you are in my thoughts every hour. My condolences.
- DeAnna Hillery, Richmond Hill, GA
Dear Dick, I was so sorry to learn of Fran's death. Although I did not know her well, I remember her as a gracious, beautiful woman . Our prayers will be with you during this difficult time. My best wishes go out to you. Roland
- Roland Skeel, Toledo, OH
Dr. Leighton, we are very saddened by your loss. Mrs. Leighton was a lovely lady, and will be greatly missed. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sara & David Plaspohl
- Sara Plaspohl, Savannah, GA
Dear Dr. Leighton: I have only met your Dear Wife once, at the recent Alernative Christmas Event at Skidaway United Methodist Church. She was, as you are, gracious and kind, compassionate and engaging. We at Hospice Savannah are truly sorry for your loss, and ours. If we can be of any assistance to you personally or as an institution, please do not hesitate to ask. My personal condolences to you and all your family.
- Mel Mrochinski, Savannah, GA
I am so sorry to learn about Fran.At lunch today many of her TMA and Carranor friends were mourning her. My best to you.
- Lois Bigelow, Perrysburg, OH
I am so sorry to learn about Fran.At lunch today many of her TMA and Carranor friends were mourning her. My best to you.
- Lois Bigelow, Perrysburg, OH
I will truly miss Fran,docenting will not be the same without her,she was so very knowledgeable,helpful,supportive and mostly a good friend. We send our deepest sympathy to you, Dick and please call on us if we can be of some help.Sincerely,Jill and Rich
- jill and rich hespos, savannah, GA
Dick, Arnie and Sandy called me this morning. I can hardly believe what they relaid. The last months have been a blur, beginning with CFW's death, Dick's sudden demise, John Stang's tragic death and now Fran. Undue stress has become an everyday reality. Know that I care, I know all too well what you and the kids are going through. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless. Hang in and hold on. Penny
- Penny Lewis, Columbus, OH
Dearest Dick, I have been in shock since Jo Althouse called this afternoon. The memories, beginning with WMC, have flooded over me - I loved Fran and have counted her a dear friend since those college years, sorority, 'roomie' that last year & then my maid of honor on June 20. That last night before graduation at the Gettysburg Legion - the 4 of us!! Our 'rest stop' in Columbus when we were totally out of funds on the way back from our trip West before coming to Charlotte--our so-long-ago trip to Deep Creek Lake-- and what a fine & special reunion we all had at the 50th. Fran was such fun to be with, up-beat, a lovely person whom I always admired for her intelligence, integrity, accomplishments, her spirit. She was not only a gracious & loving wife but a remarkable & gifted Mom as well. Much love to you - you are in my thoughts & prayers, dear friend.
- Barbara Hiestand, Charlotte, NC
Dear Dr. Leighton, Pete told me that he loved what your children had to say and what a tribute that was to beautiful Fran. Love to you and all her precious family, Linda Temesy-Armos
- linda temesy-armos, perrysburg, OH
Dear Dick Kim,Brian,Fred & families, We are distressed to hear of Fran's passing.She was truly a treasure brightening the world around her. We send you all our deepest sympathy. Amir and Gussie
- Amir and Augusta Askari, Toledo, Ohio, OH
Dear Dick, Nancy and I were saddened to hear of Fran's death. Our sympathies go out to you. To be sure our thoughts and prayers are with you. Joel and Nancy
- Joel Zrull, Maumee, OH
May you find comfort in your loving memories of Fran. She was always a special supporter of Satellites during the years she shared with us. Her knowledge of art was of great value to us during the ICE Imaginative Creation Exhibit projects. Peace and Blessings. Lynn and Paul Brand
- Lynn and Paul Brand, Toledo, OH
Dear Dick, Our most sincere condolences with the loss of Frances. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time; we wish you and your family all the best. Dini and Herman
- Dini & Herman Schut, Toledo, OH
Dear Dick, Our most sincere condolences with the loss of Frances. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time; we wish you and your family all the best. Dini and Herman
- Dini & Herman Schut, Toledo, OH
Dear Dick, Our most sincere condolences with the loss of Frances. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time; we wish you and your family all the best. Dini and Herman
- Dini & Herman Schut, Toledo, OH
Recall it as often as you wish; a happy memory never wears out.' Our beginnings in Toledo will always be sprinkled with fondness and laughter thinking of you both. Fran always made you feel as if you belonged. You found yourself a gem. Our affections at this time.
- Chris & Suzi Bork, Holland, OH
Dr. Leighton, We were both so sad to hear of Fran's death. She was always such a gracious and friendly person. She always made you feel at home and welcome. Our condolences to you and your family and our prayers are with all of you.
- John & Kate McGreevey, Monclova, OH
Dr. Leighton, you are in my thoughts every hour. My condolences.
- DeAnna Hillery, Richmond Hill, GA
Dear Dick, I was so sorry to learn of Fran's death. Although I did not know her well, I remember her as a gracious, beautiful woman . Our prayers will be with you during this difficult time. My best wishes go out to you. Roland
- Roland Skeel, Toledo, OH
Dr. Leighton, we are very saddened by your loss. Mrs. Leighton was a lovely lady, and will be greatly missed. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Sara & David Plaspohl
- Sara Plaspohl, Savannah, GA
Dear Dr. Leighton: I have only met your Dear Wife once, at the recent Alernative Christmas Event at Skidaway United Methodist Church. She was, as you are, gracious and kind, compassionate and engaging. We at Hospice Savannah are truly sorry for your loss, and ours. If we can be of any assistance to you personally or as an institution, please do not hesitate to ask. My personal condolences to you and all your family.
- Mel Mrochinski, Savannah, GA
I am so sorry to learn about Fran.At lunch today many of her TMA and Carranor friends were mourning her. My best to you.
- Lois Bigelow, Perrysburg, OH
I am so sorry to learn about Fran.At lunch today many of her TMA and Carranor friends were mourning her. My best to you.
- Lois Bigelow, Perrysburg, OH
I will truly miss Fran,docenting will not be the same without her,she was so very knowledgeable,helpful,supportive and mostly a good friend. We send our deepest sympathy to you, Dick and please call on us if we can be of some help.Sincerely,Jill and Rich
- jill and rich hespos, savannah, GA
Dick, Arnie and Sandy called me this morning. I can hardly believe what they relaid. The last months have been a blur, beginning with CFW's death, Dick's sudden demise, John Stang's tragic death and now Fran. Undue stress has become an everyday reality. Know that I care, I know all too well what you and the kids are going through. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless. Hang in and hold on. Penny
- Penny Lewis, Columbus, OH
Dearest Dick, I have been in shock since Jo Althouse called this afternoon. The memories, beginning with WMC, have flooded over me - I loved Fran and have counted her a dear friend since those college years, sorority, 'roomie' that last year & then my maid of honor on June 20. That last night before graduation at the Gettysburg Legion - the 4 of us!! Our 'rest stop' in Columbus when we were totally out of funds on the way back from our trip West before coming to Charlotte--our so-long-ago trip to Deep Creek Lake-- and what a fine & special reunion we all had at the 50th. Fran was such fun to be with, up-beat, a lovely person whom I always admired for her intelligence, integrity, accomplishments, her spirit. She was not only a gracious & loving wife but a remarkable & gifted Mom as well. Much love to you - you are in my thoughts & prayers, dear friend.
- Barbara Hiestand, Charlotte, NC
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
