Obituary for Mary Frances Cahalan

Mary Frances Cahalan, 83, of Payson, Ariz., passed away at home on Sunday, April 27, 2014, with her husband of 61 years by her side, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Fran was born on Dec. 31, 1930 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Prior to attending the University of St. Louis (Mo.), she graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1949. On April 11, 1953, she married Albert James Cahalan.
The family moved to Des Moines, Iowa in 1955 where they raised their four children: David, John, Maureen and Bill. Payson, Ariz. became Fran and Al’s new home town in 1994.
Never one to be idle outside of working in secretarial/administrative positions and full-time motherhood, Fran was active in Cub Scouts, baseball, the Sunday Meal Program at St. Ambrose Cathedral and other civic activities in Des Moines. Payson’s community was blessed with her time and care at the St. Vincent de Paul Community Food Bank, Community Kids and the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park (volunteer park guide). Fran and Al were also blessed to be able to travel across the country and the world to include Italy, Turkey, Greece, South America, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Fran’s unlimited energy, spirit, compassion, humor and love of family, friends and life made her the best wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend that anyone could ask for.
Survivors include her husband, Albert; daughter, Maureen Cahalan, Payson, Ariz.; son, Bill (Sonya), El Paso, Texas; daughter-in-law, Theresa Cahalan, Mesa, Ariz.; grandchildren: Shaun Cahalan, Sara Cahalan, Jaime Mendez, Andrew Cahalan, Zachary Chenoweth, Joshua Cahalan, Lisa Cahalan and James Cahalan; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sons, John (July 2002), David (March 2011), her parents and four siblings.
Fran donated her body to the University of Arizona Willed Body Program in hopes that her death may benefit others in the future.
Memorial Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, May 10, 2014 at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Payson, Ariz. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to a charity or cause of the donor’s choice.