Winona Franchini

WINONA (MICKEY) FRANCHINIWinona (Mickey) Franchini, age 85, went home to be with the Lord on October 11, 2012. She was born in Albuquerque on January 11, 1927 to Jack and Naomi Carter. Mickey's grandfather, Robert Loudon, one of New Mexico's true pioneers, opened Albuquerque's first ice cream company in 1903. Mickey graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1945. Her compassion for people led Mickey to pursue a career in nursing, and she graduated from the Regina School of Nursing in 1947. During her 50 year career as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital, Mickey worked in labor and delivery and day surgery. She had a genuine love for her patients and assisted in the delivery of many family members and friends. When Mickey was not working her regular shift at the hospital, she spent countless hours providing nursing care, encouragement and advice to family and friends during their illnesses and hospitalizations and was a calming influence in the midst of the storms of life. Mickey's love for travel took her all around the world, but her heart remained with her family and friends in Albuquerque. Mickey was an avid gardener and had a love for flowers, especially irises. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Franchini, in 1975. She is survived by her son, Keith Franchini, and his wife Helen, her son, Kevin Franchini, his fiancé, Nina Kane and her daughter, Miriam; grandchildren Natalie Harden and her husband Ryan, Kyle Franchini and his wife Laura, and Zachary Franchini; great-grandchildren Taylor and Faith Harden; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends who loved and will miss her. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19, 2012 at French - Lomas Chapel, 10500 Lomas NE. Burial will take place in a private ceremony at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mickey's name to Young Life Albuquerque, PO Box 91894, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87199.