Frances “Bondi” Mary Von Flatern Christopher, born November 5, 1928, died peacefully in her home on Thursday, May 20th. Frances is predeceased by her parents, Catherine “Babe” and Ernest Von Flatern and her brothers, John, Joe, and Mike.
She will always be remembered for her compassion and caring for all those she loved - including her husband of 67 years and love of her life - Earl.
Their story began on the shores of Misquamicut, Rhode Island with their pack of friends when a Millville girl met an Uxbridge boy - she, an independent, vivacious person who loved to dance, fell for a Fred Astaire look-a-like with two left feet.
After their marriage in 1953, Frances threw herself into their adventure starting in New Jersey where she had the first of their four children. From there they moved to Walpole and continued to grow their family and careers. Along with her dear co-teacher, Frances owned and operated the Hey Diddle Diddle Nursery School in East Walpole for more than two decades and helped to educate hundreds of children over the years.
She summered on Ocean Ave in Harwichport with Earl and her family, spending hours at the beach parenting her children despite not liking the heat or the ocean - this speaks to the essence of her being - always giving and caring for others.
She, along with Earl and her close friends Marilyn and Mary traveled by car on several legendary road trips in the United States and Canada always returning with stories filled with joy and laughter - and tighter friendship bonds!
She was a dedicated mother to Kimberly "Kim", Timothy "TJ", Michael, and Julia; mother-in-law to Lisa, Philip; and Matt; loving sister-in-law to Ann, Priscilla and Bud, and Norma and Wayne. She was a committed godmother to many from Massachusetts, New Hampshire to Connecticut, to Rhode Island, and a wonderful aunt to so many of our sweet cousins.
She was an adoring grandmother to Lindsay and Kate and great-grandmother to Lily as well as a surrogate mother and grandmother to many. She was surrounded by wonderful neighbors who she appreciated and showed her love for with her endless stream of delicious meals to go and holiday baking.
She will always be remembered for her open heart and she will always be loved and deeply missed by all.
We love you Frances, Mom, Nana. XOXO
As a result of the ongoing and ever-developing health crisis in the world and with genuine concern for the people whom they love, Frances' family has decided that her funeral services will be private, with interment taking place in The Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice and Palliative Care, 100 Trade Center, Suite G-500, Woburn, MA 01801. Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.