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In memory of

Frances Ann Savage

Santa Fe, NM, USA

January 6, 1955 - September 7, 2019

Jan 6, 1955 - Sep 7, 2019

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Frances Ann Savage, 64, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, formerly of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away on September 7, 2019 in La Jolla, California surrounded by her loving daughters and her forever-friend-ex-husband after living 15 years with a brain tumor when originally given a six month prognosis. Frances will be forever remembered for her heart-warming, contagious smile, her ability to build relationships and connections with others, her unboundless love and support for her daughters, and her work ethic and dedication to service.

Frances was born on January 6, 1955 in Savannah, Georgia to Colonel George R. Savage, USAF Retired and Monica Savage. Frances’ father was a bomber pilot for the United States Air Force flying the B-29, B-47 and B-52 in two wars. Monica was a British business woman with various shops in Cambridge, England before she met George and fell in love.

Frances grew up a military brat, living all over the world, including in Belgium at SHAPE headquarters. She graduated high school at SHAPE after a unique experience with a tight-knit group of classmates. She continued to have a strong relationship with her classmates until her untimely death. Her high school friends spent the last couple of years visiting her on a regular basis, including traveling across the country, as she faced mobility issues resulting from her brain tumor.

After high school, Frances went to college at the Florida State University in Tallahassee. Upon graduation, Frances joined the U.S. Navy because she had a passion for travel which continued through the end of her life. Her first duty station after Officer Candidate School was Midway Island at the end of the Hawaiian Island chain. There she met the father of her children, Edward Clark Horton, Jr. CWO4. Though they parted ways years ago, they remained good friends out of mutual respect and love for their daughters.

Frances served for the U.S. Navy in Iran immediately prior to and at the start of the Iranian Revolution in 1979. She was in Iran when the Shah fell and had to go into hiding with the Canadian embassy until she was rescued by a commercial Pan Am flight that broke protocol and went into Iran to get U.S. citizens.

After her military service and the birth of her two daughters, Frances became a certified massage therapist and obtained a second bachelor’s degree in nursing at age 40 where she graduated as valedictorian at DePaul College of Nursing in Norfolk, Virginia.

Frances was diagnosed with a glioma astrocytoma on May 15, 2004. This brain tumor shaped her journey through life over the next 15 years. Frances chose to face this diagnosis with a positive mindset and refused to let it limit her. Frances was able to shape the hearts and minds of medical professionals along the way as she showed them that she was limitless.

Frances spent the last 15 years after her diagnosis as a nurse practicing in behavioral health, chronic pain, med/surg, and hospice. She traveled all over the world with her daughters, her sisters, and her best friends. She moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to live in the mountains. She saw the birth of her two beloved granddaughters. She saw her oldest daughter graduate from law school. She saw her youngest daughter start college for occupational therapy and make As while raising two young girls. She found her third daughter, Zoe, a rambunctious Boston Terrier. Frances wanted others to know that they can choose to live no matter the diagnosis.

Even at the end of her life, when she was confined to a wheelchair and needed full time care and lived with grace and spirit in a hospital, Frances enjoyed good meals, fresh fruit, a cool ocean breeze, a warm down-comforter, spending time sitting with family and friends, and talking about possibility including business ideas. Frances made new dear friends with the staff, nurses, and volunteers at the VA Hospital which is another testament to her ability to build relationships with others.

Frances shared a love of baking, gardening, and treasure hunting with her sisters. She found joy in spotting hummingbirds, blooming gardenias, walking in the mountains, and spending time with friends and family. She had a passion for travel, good movies, and a good belly laugh. She will be remembered for bright smile.

Frances is survived by her two daughters, Laura Erin Horton, J.D. of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Amanda Clair Swart of San Diego, California; two granddaughters, Caroline Quinn Swart of San Diego, California and Nora Rose Swart of San Diego, California; her two sisters, Eva Georgina Clark of Plano, Texas and Patricia Lynn Savage of Bonham, Texas; and her beloved Boston Terrier Zoe.

Frances desired to return to the mountains for her internment and her ashes will rest at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Services will take place on Friday, November 1 in celebration of Frances’ life and All Souls Day. A memorial service will take place at Frenchy's Park Barn at 9:30 a.m. immediately followed by burial with full military honors at the National Cemetery of Santa Fe at 11:15. A reception will immediately follow at Frenchy's Park Barn. All friends are welcome.

Frances had a passion for flowers. Thus, we would love to send her off with all the beautiful flowers. We are happy to accept flowers for the memorial and will fill the space with them. Otherwise, please feel free to make a donation to your local SPCA in the spirit of Frances’ love of dogs.

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