Frances (Francie) Ann Bronner (Krabacher), 71, passed away on December 1, 2021 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. In her final days she was surrounded by those who loved and admired her.

A lifelong Colorado native, Francie was born to Joseph and Constance Krabacher in Lakewood, Colorado on May 7, 1950. She was a graduate of Evergreen High School (1968), Colorado State University (1972), and received her Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado (1980). She raised her family in Littleton.

Her patience, calming nature, and creativity were some of the qualities that made her an exceptional special education teacher for over 30 years at John F. Kennedy High School in Denver. Throughout her career, she worked with students with emotional behavioral disorders and taught those with multiple disabilities until her retirement in 2005. The relationships she developed with her students transcended the classroom. Long after her students graduated she would continue to mentor them by helping them find jobs, driving them to interviews and helping them with anything they needed.

Francie’s most endearing qualities were her humor and vivacious spirit. Cloth napkins in restaurants were always made into origami bras (much to the shock of waiters and embarrassment of her children) and different costumes—witch, “mirth angel”, frog, you-name-it—were considered perfectly appropriate attire if it meant bringing joy and a good laugh to those she loved.

Francie was an avid nature lover and spent countless hours gathering wildflowers, rocks and feathers on Colorado’s hiking trails and tending to her own gardens. Roses, lavender, herbs and vegetables all flourished under Francie’s expert hands. She became a Colorado Master Gardener and was passionate about educating future generations on plants and insects (typically dressed as a Garden Fairy or bumble bee).

Her focus lay where her heart was—on the mountains and flowers she loved, spreading kindness and shaping the lives of the future. And though she had many roles, none were more important to Francie than that of being “Nana”. She treasured her grandchildren and they worshipped her. Her spirit will live on through the enduring love of nature and science, wonderment and curiosity for the world and gratitude she instilled early in their lives.

Francie was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Rick, was a loving mother to Ali Lodice (Tony), Robby Caton, and Jamie Caton (Jacques-Olivier), step-mother to Matt (Alexi) and Andrew (Jeanine) Mongrain, and a doting Nana to Skylar, Caton and Jaden Lodice; Charlie and Finley Grall; Dylan and Nico Mongrain; and Brenden Pennington. She was an adored sister, the “fun and silly” aunt Lala, and a connector to numerous cousins, family and friends who admired and loved her for who she was.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 10 am at Seven Stones Botanical Gardens, 9635 North Rampart Range Road, Littleton CO 80125. The family asks that you wear purple or red, or a hint of, to the celebration. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or the Jefferson County Action Center, where Francie volunteered throughout her adult life.

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