Mary Frances Stroud, retired nurse
Mary Frances Stroud passed away Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, following a brief illness. She was born Jan. 30, 1930, in Millville to Amos Frank McCabe and Mary Marguerite (West) McCabe.
She graduated from Lord Baltimore School in 1948 when the school housed grades 1-12. Fran attended the Delaware Hospital School of Nursing, completing the RN program in 1951. She began her nursing career at New York Hospital in New York City where she worked with preemie babies in one of the few units of its kind at the time. Fran then moved to Washington, D.C., and worked at George Washington University Hospital. While living in D.C., Fran met the love of her life, Carl Marshall Stroud, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force. They married in 1955 and began their adventures as they moved to San Antonio, Texas.
While her husband was stationed in Greenland, Fran lived in Ocean View. Once reunited, the family lived in several locations, including Glen Burnie, Md., Misawa, Japan, and Hawthorne, Calif. Fran became a widow in 1971. As a newly single parent, she moved the family across country to Seaford in 1972 in order to be close to the extended family. Fran moved to the Country Rest Home in Greenwood in 2017.
Fran’s interests included reading, antiquing, knitting, needlework and playing bridge. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and spending summers at the cottage in Bethany Beach. She was fond of sharing stories from her life and adventures.
Fran was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her three sisters (Pauline Higgins, Ruth Boyle and Hilda Adams). She is survived by her children Karen (Bob) Scott of Ambler, Pa., Carl (Pamela) Stroud of Bridgeville and David (Patty) Stroud of Laurel; and two grandchildren, Emily Marie and Joshua McCabe Stroud. She is also survived by two stepgrandchildren, Benton (Lindsay) Cole, Matthew (Nicole) Cole, two step-great-grandchildren (Gavin and Alison Cole), and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their families.
Funeral arrangements will be private due to COVID restrictions. Interment will be held in the church cemetery adjoining Mariners Bethel United Methodist Church in Ocean View. A celebration of life will be arranged at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be sent to Country Rest Home, 12046 Sunset Lane, Greenwood, DE 19950 in memory of Mary Frances Stroud.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com
