Margaret Frank

Born on Halloween 1919, in Hugo, Colorado to Roy and Laura Barringer, Margaret was destined for a long life fueled by her love of family, dedication to community engagement, and chocolate of all kinds. After an early childhood spent on the plains, the Dust Bowl eventually blew Margaret, her parents and four siblings into Denver. Margaret graduated from South High School in 1937 and later attended Broadway Business School. She met William E. Frank, a West High School graduate, at a high school cultural club function where they promptly fell in love. When Margaret was 19, they married at the local Court House before Bill was ""shipped off"" to Italy as a member of the 10th Mountain Division ski troopers. After Bill returned from Italy, they moved to Baltimore, Maryland where Bill worked for the newly created federal agency, the Social Security Administration. Longing to return home to the ""West"" the couple moved back to Denver where Bill graduated from the University of Denver, attending on the G.I. Bill, and Margaret gave birth to their only child. Margaret and Bill moved into their first and only home, with their 11-month-old daughter, in 1950 when Colorado Boulevard was a dirt road. Making a home and creating a neighborhood, the couple helped establish Wellshire Presbyterian Church. Margaret was active in the PTA at Bradley Elementary School, planted trees with her daughter's Brownie Troop at Mamie Doud Eisenhower Park, and at one time served as president for her traveling bowling league. She was active in many University Hills neighborhood groups with her friends, including bridge and sewing clubs. An early community activist, Margaret was in touch with her Denver City Council representatives, especially Joyce Foster, on many matters. Margaret, an active member of the Assistance League of Denver, volunteered countless hours giving back to the Denver community. She was a member of the Arno Book Club, active in various church organizations, and loved the Rockies no matter the number of wins and losses. Quick-witted and clever to the end, Margaret always knew how to make those around her smile and laugh. Her love of family, friends, and sweets, especially chocolate, never wavered. She is survived by her only child, Rebecca Frank and son-in-law, George Orbanek of Grand Junction and her beloved granddaughter, Emily Margaret Orbanek of Denver. She is also survived by her younger sister, Barbra Jane West and many nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by many, many longtime friends across Denver and the West, as well as many new friends she made in her last months at Porter Place. Celebration of Life, Thursday, March 26, 11am, Wellshire Presbyterian Church, 2299 S. Colorado Blvd. Memorial contributions may be made to the Assistance League of Denver, 1400 Josephine Street, Denver, CO 80206 or to Wellshire Presbyterian Church Youth Programs, 2999 South Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO 80222. Please visit HoranCares.com to share a memory of Margaret.