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A message from Mrs. Davis’s former students, sent to her before her passing.

Dear Mrs. Davis,

As fate would have it, just a day before reading about your diagnosis and prognosis I was thinking about you and the class you taught me in, back in 2002, as a sophomore.

I was remembering one of the assignments you gave us, to do some research into our dream careers and present in front of the class. I always had a dream of becoming a commercial pilot but being color blind I always knew that was not a realistic career path, and when I became disillusioned you pulled me aside, helped me think of an alternative and helped me plan a presentation.

I know that after with 50 years of teaching and having thousands of students come through your classroom you may not remember that, but I never forgot it and how much it touched me that you would take the time to help me out.

I extend a virtual hug and my most sincere feelings of support during such difficult times. I thank you, Mrs. Davis, for touching the life of a student that struggled enough in high school and you helped along, even after I had decided I was giving up on your class. I thank you, Jonathan, for having the strength of sharing your story with us and for sharing your wonderful mother with her students, may the knowledge that she touched so many lives always bring a smile to your face.

My thoughts are with you both and your family.

Thank you for joining the truly beautiful, funny, and celebratory gathering of Francine. Everything shared and spoken was incredibly profound. If you couldn’t make it, the recording of the Zoom meeting has been uploaded to YouTube, and you can find the video and link at the bottom of the Dear Community page.

Mrs. Davis, Although I never had you for English, sometimes I feel like I did. I was always in your classroom for some weird reason. Maybe because my crush was in your class or one of my friends, but every time you welcomed me with open arms. Your spirit, energy, and light were all absolutely contagious. I believe some of my friends you even broke out into yoga one day. I think every student left your class with a smile on their face ready to tackle whatever the rest of the day had in store. We needed teachers like you. We still need teachers like you. Students who didn’t even have you knew who you were, and I can speak for many of us when I say we were jealous. We missed out on such a great educator. More than school though, I want to thank you for being an incredible mother. Jonathan and I were close in high school, hanging out on the weekends and basketball games until it was time for me to go away for college. While we lost touch, he was always polite, made sure I got home safely, and was always a gentleman. I think it’s important for you to know that. Thank you for all that you’ve done, and the legacy you leave behind. Sending all my love and many, many hugs. Megan Lunsford

December 7, 2020 Fran was my “work mom” at Miami Killian Senior, and I was her “work daughter.” I felt her love and enthusiasm everyday as her hallmate in the Hood building. She was the person I went to for advice as a beginning teacher, and she showed me that the passion and love for teaching does not fizzle after just five or ten years. She taught me to not be afraid to take risks or make mistakes. Also, even if every lesson couldn’t be fun, there was always some way to make enjoyable moments with a quick joke or some zany antic. Some of my best years at Killian were when I worked with her on the junior team. Once Fran retired from Killian, our “hallway” was never the same. Fran gave me her favorite chair when she retired, and I still use it today. When I became a mother, the advice changed to parenting, but it was still genuine and illuminating. One of my fondest memories is when Fran would visit and play with Jasmine. She even volunteered Alan to babysit my infant while we would work nearby. The beauty of my relationship with Fran was that our relationship was simple and accepting; I didn’t need to prove anything to her. It began as two colleagues and will now transcend eternity, for my memories of Fran will always be with me. Love, Elizabeth Ceballos-Moore

Written with love by Nicky Frisby

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My Dearest Friend, Fran,

How do I love thee?  Can’t possibly count the ways. You’ve become a good, better, closer friend every day since we met a lifetime ago.  You, and previously you and Alan, enfolded me into your care making sure I never felt alone.  You have always taken interest in the minutia of my life, and you are interested and commit to memory the details . . . an amazing listener. While I think my life unremarkable, you make me a star on a talk show.  You can’t know how much your care has meant to me . . . I have valued it more and more as I grow older.  How many friends care as much?  And it’s not only me you care for . . . you are an angel hovering over many.

In the last act of Macbeth, he cries to Seyton:

My way of life

Is fall’n into the sear — the yellow leaf —

And that which should accompany old age,

As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,

I must not look to have . . .

But Fran, you are the opposite . . . you are graced with honor, love, obedience, and troops of friends surrounding you . . . and we are grateful you’ve allowed us to stay close.

Since you became aware you are ill and shared the news with loved ones, you have been constantly on my mind . . . all day, when I wake in the night, while doing mundane, routine chores, while teaching.  Running through my mind are the many novels and short stories we commonly taught.  How many times did we discuss ad nauseum details of literature?  Jodi Littell reminded me of Emily Dickinson’s poem when she was checking with me about how you were doing.  She couldn’t remember the poem, but this is it:

Because I could not stop for Death –

He kindly stopped for me –

The Carriage held but just Ourselves –

And Immortality.

She wrote 500+ poems about death . . . not with morbid sentiments but with fascination.  She is immortalized worldwide, and you are immortalized within the world of everyone you’ve touched, taught, and loved. 

How many movies, plays, meals, birthdays, graduations, celebrations, walks, talks have we shared with each other and with a wider circle? While I can’t count them, you will remain by my side and in my heart all my days to come.

How do I love thee?  Every possible way . . .  now and always.

Your friend,

Nicky

12/03/20

Written with love by Cheryl Cole

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“All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players,

They have their exits and entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts.”

In this case, one woman played many parts – our dear friend Fran. I first met Fran at Killian Sr. High over 35 years ago. Her part at that time (and for many more years to come) was that of Language Arts teacher. As she honed her skills and grew into her role, Fran became not only a close colleague and mentor, but an example to follow. From the very beginning, it was obvious that her passion and gift for educating young minds was all-encompassing. She made learning FUN! How she accomplished this feat, day in and day out, was the truly amazing part. Fran was an actress on the educational stage, and her parts were as varied and entertaining as any actress on the “Silver Screen”.  Whether dancing, singing, or reciting poetry, she was a master. Dressing up for the annual “Great Gatsby” party day, creating interest in Macbeth by becoming one of the three witches, stabbing and theatrically murdering Caesar in Julius Caesar, or reciting “Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe from memory, Fran was the consummate professional. Her ability to not only inspire, but to connect with her students on both a personal and academic level has left a lasting impression on countless individuals throughout the years. You don’t have to take my word for this, just read through the incredible website her son Jonathan created.

But she had other roles or parts to play, as well. Loving wife, devoted mother and step-mother, compassionate sister, and loyal, steadfast friend. These parts were also played with vigor, truth, kindness, and understanding. I don’t believe that Fran ever really appreciated herself enough or her remarkable gifts. She taught me so much over the years, and I am still learning from her example – her role model. Her dignity, grace, and humor defined her personal life. I am lucky to have known her and call her my friend.

Thank you for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support. We’re so grateful.

We now have an abundance of beautiful flowers. Thank you so much, they fill the space with peace and beauty; at this time, however, we request no more flowers, as we just don’t have the space for more. (Links Rule: S; S, ca, …)

If you feel like honoring Francine in some way, please make a donation to a cancer society or a literary nonprofit in her name. And please let us know.

One cause we really like:

https://students-care.networkforgood.com/projects/118975-in-loving-memory-of-francine-davis

I loved hanging with Fran when she came to visit JD in Oakland last year. She was sassy, interested and fun, coming to our friends’ New Year’s Eve party. And literally bless her life for raising up our gem of a pal JD. <3