Frances Nitkin, 62, Oxford Valley Elementary Principal

Frances Nitkin passed away Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 after a graceful and courageous bout with peritoneal cancer. She was 62.

A graduate of Penn State University, Franny spent the better part of two decades serving as an elementary school principal within the Pennsbury School District; however, her life was not defined by her career. Above all, Franny was a fiercely devoted wife and mother who brought compassion and calm to those with whom she was closest. Often referred to as “our rock,” she had an uncanny ability to defuse crises and stabilize a situation. Franny always put others first, even in her last days. This past week, she could be found counseling her granddaughter on the importance of homework, providing words of comfort to her sister, and perusing the pages of WebMD to find a remedy for her son’s upset stomach.

Aside from her family, Franny loved dancing, licorice, crossword puzzles, foot rubs, Oxford Valley Elementary, and warm, sunny days on the beaches of Brigantine, N.J. She was the best.

Franny is survived by her mother, Thelma; her husband and soulmate, Andy; her siblings, Sally (and Bob) and Barry (and Sandy); her loving children, Lauren, Michael, Andrew, April, Brian, Sayda, Mark, and Eva; and her grandchildren, Max, Jack, and William, Anna and Abigel, and Maela.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Franny’s life at 11 a.m., today, Tuesday, Oct. 20, at at Goldstein’s Funeral Home, 310 Second Street Pike, Southampton, PA 18966. Franny’s family will also be sitting Shiva at 1502 Harvest Drive in Yardley on Tuesday, Oc. 20, Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 22.

In lieu of flowers and other gifts, Franny’s family requests that donations be made to the Pennsbury Scholarship Fund by clicking here.