The Shadow
Frances Margaret (Warnshuis) Grumblatt
Frances Margaret (Warnshuis) Grumblatt, died peacefully in her sleep on September 28, 2024 at Avante Nursing Home in Jacksonville, Florida. She was born, November 21, 1923 and was 100 years old when she passed away. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she was one of nine children of the late Dr. Gerrit and Margaret (Mills) Warnshuis.
Frances was the last survivor of nine children: Fritz, Lori, Gerrit, Maryann, Moira, Dolores, Jan, and Patrick all preceded her in death. She was married to Leonard Grumblatt who preceded her in death in 1994. Frances is survived by five of her six children: Diane Aquire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Peter Grumblatt of Asheville, North Carolina, Shawn Grumblatt of Peterstown, West Virginia, Chris Grumblatt of Pottstown, Pennsylvania and Mark Grumblatt of Jacksonville, Florida. Her son Erick (Grumblatt) Greenleaf preceded her in death in 2021. There are 15 grandchildren, and 6
great grandchildren. Frances raised her family in Detroit, Michigan for over 20 years, from the 1940s until moving to Covington in 1963. In Covington, she was well known in the community for her years working at Sydney’s Women’s Clothing store in the 1970s and 1980s. She continued working in the community as a housekeeper and private caretaker for the Hartman family, which were an extended family for her. She was an active member at
Sacred Heart Catholic church, sharing her faith through charitable works with those in need in the community and helping others build their Christian faith.
In 1993 she moved to Clifton Forge, and then later to Lexington. She retired in 2000 and moved to Pennsylvania to live near her sons Peter, Chris, Erick and Mark. In 2007, she moved to Maryland to be near Mark and his family before moving to Jacksonville, Florida in 2016 where she lived out her remaining years with Mark and his family.
Frances was known for her spirited love of life. With her outspoken and witty personality, she accepted everyone as a friend. Always fashionable, she enjoyed socializing, entertaining, and connecting people within the community, including a few matches that resulted in happy marriages. She lived every minute in her own way, extremely independent and yet harmonious with the world.
She was cremated in Florida and her ashes will be transported to Alleghany County where a private funeral mass is planned. Interment will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Low Moor. The mass and burial service are planned for the spring of 2025.
