Frances Helen Martin Brent died on March 7, 2024.
She was born at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles on August 6, 1934. Her mother, Helen Matilda Fernandina Harmer Martin was descended from contemporaries of William Penn on her father’s side. Frances’s mother also brought the heritage of a 17th century California land grant. Frances’s father, Dr. Albert Martin attended medical school in Germany during World War I, studying under x-ray pioneer Roentgen. After immigrating to the United States he established a medical practice and received a law degree from the University of Southern California.
Frances attended Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, in Pasadena. She graduated from the University of California Berkeley then earned a M.Ed. from BGSU. She taught 6th grade at Conneaut School, and was in contact with many students up to the time of her death. She completed her professional career as Coordinator of Gifted Education for Findlay City Schools.
Retirement meant more time for civic interests and involvement. She contributed time, energy and enthusiasm to The Black Swamp Arts Festival, Downtown Business Association, BG Parks and Recreation, Wood County Historical Society and the Wood County Library. A passionate supporter of schools she worked to promote their image and finances throughout her lifetime.
As a freelance writer she had a long relationship with the Sentinel-Tribune. She wrote a weekly column – A Touch of Class – on local educational topics. Then, until undone by the Findlay commute, she was a Theatre reporter who emphasized the positive. It was a twenty year period with much exciting on-campus activity, ambitious local productions and scattered dinner theaters. She later explored and wrote about the wealth of literary talent that grew in, passed through, and lived in Wood County – including BGHS and BGSU staff and graduates. Frances was the living definition of a bookworm, delighting particularly in history, political analysis, and biography…the narratives and mysteries of life. Friends received endless suggested book titles. She could have lived happily on a solitary island with back issues of the New Yorker as her only company.
Frances and her biologist husband, Dr. Morgan Brent, were married for over fifty interesting years. His death was bracketed by the deaths of their two daughters, Elizabeth and then Vicky. Both succumbed to hereditary ovarian cancer. Her death was preceded by her brother, Albert Martin.
She is survived by her son, Dr. Morgan Brent (Annie) OR/HI. Her life was brightened and made more interesting by the adventures of her eight grandchildren: Dr. Karishma Anik (Mike) NY, Natasha Anik FL, Ameera Anik (Matt) CA, Savanah Anik MD, Jason Taylor (Rachel) WA, Kyle Taylor NM, Sierra Stockman Skiles (Brandon) FL, and Roman Martinez (Eva) AZ. Fotini Plakogiannis, Evalyn Skiles, and Maddox Sullivan are her fascinating great-grandchildren.
A celebration of her life is planned for September 8, 2024 at Simpson Garden Park Banquet Hall from 1 – 5 pm. Memorials may be made to BG Parks And Recreation for The Simpson Garden.
Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home was entrusted with her arrangements. Fond memories and condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.
