Francis Elizabeth Washington

The former Francis Elizabeth Newman, born in 1939, grew up in Washington D.C. She was the eldest of 4 girls and 4 boys. She attended Dunbar High School as America's  first public high school for all Black students. Her uniqueness began blossoming from her activities in the German Club, Math Club and Student Council. Her many talents included playing piano for her church.

Her fantastic life journey began from Washington DC after attending Howard University. Francis loved mathematics and physic classes. Her husband-to-be, met her there in a Differential Equations class. Francis' professional education expanded from there. Over the years it included computer tech education in programming languages, computer operations, computer graphic arts, project management and auditing. Francis, the biological mother of two boys Vonn and Ean but the mother of many more, set a strong example of accomplishment for her family. She lifted you up when you couldn't reach out. She would say, “Don't complain about it, let's find a way to do it”.

Francis definitely motivated her family with her deep unwavering love. Vonn, the oldest, has been a musician in Italy for several decades. Ean taught English in Japan for 2 years. Her support enabled her husband, Alfred, to start a successful international hair care business with Vitale Hair Products.

Francis with her education, grit, voice and superb articulation abilities had a tech professional career beyond compare for any Black woman from the 1960's into the 21st century. This tech education enabled her to easily find jobs everywhere she applied. A shining example was when she worked 2 years in Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific as Director of Computer Systems for their National Housing Corporation. Over many years in the Chicago area she worked in project management, consulting, auditing, teaching at 5 different colleges as well as her own business; Probe Consulting.

While living in University Park for 35 years, she volunteered her skills in several policy and procedure planning committees. These committees were responsible for UP's Public Utilities and Water Safety, IT and Finance.

She and her husband loved traveling. The range includes all of Western Europe, England, Denmark, Sweden, Finland Russia, Poland, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Sicily, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Australia, New Zealand, mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Bahrain, Canada, Nova Scotia, Mexico, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Martinque, Costa Rica and Brazil(for Carnival).

Francis is remembered as a pillar of strength, the embodiment of grace, and a source of unconditional love. She was an icon of Black excellence and radiated what it meant to be a strong woman

.She is survived by her loving husband, Alfred, of 60 years, her two sons Vonn and Ean, two Italian grandsons Dylan and Namiki, 3 sisters; Jean, Shirley and Lynette and 4 brothers; William (wife Lavonn), Arthur (wife Gerry), James and Alfred, 6 nieces and 2 nephews.

The Service can be viewed at the following link: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1645855451169391