Frances “Fran” Marsha Hart, 68, of Christiansburg, passed away Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.
Fran was born in Christiansburg Aug. 2, 1955. She was preceded in death by her father, Henry G. “Bill” Hart, Jr. and mother, Anne Daingerfield Hart; brothers H. Rex Hart and W. Matt Hart; half-sister, Sydney Thomson; great nephew Caupert Hart-Pattishall; maternal grandparents, Juanita White Daingerfield and Asa Rexford Daingerfield; paternal grandparents, Elisabeth Roop Hart Bohlken and Henry G. Hart, Sr., and a special canine companion “Duff.”
She is survived by a sister, Pamela “Pam” Hart King (Carl); nephews Michael “Mickey” King (Joni), Jonathan “Jon” King (Mitzi), Forrest Hart, and Michael Robertson; nieces Shannon Hart and Chandon Thomson; great nieces, Peyton King Wills (Stephen) and Parker Hart Austin (Garrett); great nephew Ashton King; great-great nieces Meredith Wills and Hallie Wills; and many cousins and close friends she “claimed” as family members. She is also survived by her current much loved, and constant special canine companion of more than 16 years,” Cooper.”
After graduating from Christiansburg High School in 1973, Fran became one of the first females to be enrolled in Virginia Tech’s Corp of Cadets, L Squadron. Completing her degree in Recreation in 1978, she went on to hold many Director and leadership roles at the Christiansburg Senior Center, Dinwiddie County, Va. and the City of Bedford. While in Bedford, she was instrumental with the development of the D-Day Memorial Foundation.
Upon returning to Christiansburg, Fran belonged to the Christiansburg Community Theater, was a long-standing volunteer and supporter of the Christiansburg Head Start Program and was an advocate and supporter of the Women’s Resource Center. She was a Longaberger Basket Consultant in her spare time and an avid scrapbooker. She loved to travel the United States and abroad with friends and family. As a hospitality guide for NASBLA, she planned many trips that took her to islands such as St. Kitts, Antigua, Hawaii, and countries such as Ireland, Australia, and Egypt. She was always up for new and exciting adventures! Ron Sarver was her favorite traveling companion.
Fran loved Christiansburg. She spent countless hours organizing the CHS Alumni Return events that spanned many years. She continued her philanthropy of service to friends, family, those in need and non-profit organizations up until the time of her passing. Fran was a true scholar, avid reader and never gave up the desire to learn and retain new up-to-date information. Her goals were always to make life and living a better situation for others.
Since Fran LOVED the beach, please wear your favorite beach attire, bright colors, or a Hawaiian shirt to celebrate her wonderful life and join us 1- 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 at The Inn at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. A time of sharing fun memories and music will begin at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Women’s Resource Center, 1217 Grove Avenue, Radford, VA 24141, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, or any non-profit organization that will serve those in need, especially children!
Fran’s family and close friends and neighbors would like to thank Good Samaritan Hospice and Careosity Home Care for the wonderful care and support provided during Fran’s final time with us.
