Obituary: Jennie C. Franklin, 80, of Branford

Information via W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home

Jennie C. Franklin died at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 17, 2017 at the Alzheimer's Resource Center in Southington, Connecticut surrounded by her loving family.Jennie was born in Marshalltown, Iowa to John Nicothodes and Malinda Sell and was one of seven siblings. Her senior year in high school, she moved with her family to Whittier, California, which was a hard transition for Jennie.

However, she was blessed to be able to go to high school with her cousin (and best friend), Jeanette Stansfield. Jeanette would end up being Jennie's life-long friend and cohort in bringing her out of her shell and enjoying fun adventures and continuous laughter. Considered "shy" and somewhat "reserved", Jennie enjoyed the simple things in life and was known for her kindness and immense generosity.

A woman who showed compassion and grace to strangers, Jennie's warm smile and sweet attitude made all feel welcome in her presence. A mother of three children -- Cindy Ann Woods, Bob G. Franklin Jr., and Melinda (Mindy) Kay Ronn – she took pride in keeping her home and raising her kids.

After 20 years of marriage, Jennie divorced and became a single mom to her youngest child, Melinda (Mindy) Ronn. She rose to the task and worked her way up from a leasing agent to the manager of one of the largest apartment complexes of the time in Southern California.

A woman who was always intelligent and good with numbers, she became a bookkeeper for Richard A. Samuelsson, who would become the new man in her life – a relationship that lasted until his death in 2009.Jennie loved the outdoors and specifically her flower garden. She also loved her home in Southern California which sat upon the top of a hill and held a lovely view of the valley below.

Her favorite flower was lilacs, but she also enjoyed roses. Another favorite past-time of Jennie's was enjoying her grandchildren – Christie Mubaied, Cheryl Woods, David Woods, Alexa Ronn, Sarah Franklin, Hannah Franklin, Paul Franklin, and Joshua Franklin. Jennie was also blessed with 8 great grandchildren – Evan Mubaied, Zachary Mubaied, Grace Mubaied, Cole Woods, John Woods, Alice Ryan, and Lucy Ryan.Raised in the Greek Orthodox Church, Jennie accepted Christ in her heart at a Billy Graham Crusade and attended a non-denominational church as a young mom.

Though over time Jennie did not belong to a particular church or attend regularly, she did love to listen to and watch Dr. D. James Kennedy at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and Dr. Charles F. Stanley at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, on television. She and Richard donated to various Christian ministries throughout the years and she believed in the authority of Scripture. Jennie was blessed that all three of her children became Christians and most of her grandchildren would also go on to believe in Christ.

Her grandson, David M. Woods, is an assistant pastor in California and helping officiate Jennie's home-going service. After the on-set of Multi-Infarct Dementia, Jennie's daughters moved her from California to Connecticut where she lived out her last 8 years of life at assisted living memory care facilities and finally the Alzheimer's Resource Center.