Frances (Fran) P.
Hettinger, 85
DOVER, DE - Frances (Fran) P. Hettinger passed away peacefully on January 5, 2024 with her children and their spouses by her bedside, at Bayhealth Hospital-Kent Campus, where she had been a patient for ten days. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the daughter of the late Lester Rudolph Henn and Mary Virginia Henn.
Fran Hettinger's life can be summed up in a simple, however, powerful phrase; service to others.
"At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done." We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in." Mother Teresa
She had a passion for life, a resilient spirit and was strong-willed. Fran's smile, positive energy and caring personality would light up any room and immediately allow those around her to feel at ease. She was a kind and giving soul and often put the needs of others before her own. As a close friend of the family stated, "she never met a stranger." Throughout her life, Fran saw good in everyone that she met.
After marrying the love of her life, the late, Harry F. Hettinger Sr., Fran immensely enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and caring for her five children as well as over 25 foster children from Catholic Charities Foster Parent Program before becoming a working professional. During this same timeframe, in addition to the 25 foster children, her late husband and her also invited into their home several adults that had become homeless and needed food and shelter. On occasion throughout her life, she also cared for the dying and in one instance was given a framed sketched picture of Mother Theresa and a note of gratitude from the family for caring for their dying loved overnight for one month or more so that they could get some rest.
Frances spent her entire 25-year career with the City of Dover in a variety of different positions: Senior Surrey Driver, Senior Surrey Supervisor, Paramedics Supervisor and Central Services Administrator. Fran was loved by her fellow colleagues and was viewed as a hard worker resulting in several awards: for example, Business Professional Women of the Year and City of Dover Employee of the Year. Even though Fran had a very successful professional career, from childhood she always desired to be a nurse. Upon her retirement from the City of Dover, she became a patient sitter at Bayhealth Hospital-Kent Campus. Her love and passion for helping patients resulted in her returning to the classroom at age 75 where she secured her CNA certification. She continued her employment at Bayhealth Hospital-Kent Campus as a CNA for several more years.
Fran was a devout Catholic and attended Holy Cross Catholic Church, in Dover for decades on a regular basis. Over the years she served both God and her Holy Cross church community in different capacities such as a Eucharistic Minister, secretary of the pastoral council, Adoration Chapel coordinator, Holy Cross new church building campaign worker, assisting with funerals, ironing the priests' vestments, cleaning the church and both starting and managing Holy Cross Bingo that generated revenue for the church. Additionally, her late husband and she took care of former Holy Cross Pastor Father Hanley for 15 years due to his medical condition.
Fran loved watching football and her Eagles every week during football season. She enjoyed watching the birds outside of her window every day and was entertained by her two cats and hermit crabs. Fran was very crafty and in earlier days enjoyed crocheting and needlepoint. She would often talk about one of the highlights of her life was traveling out West with her late husband Harry F. Hettinger Sr. each year for 6-8 months at a time in their motorhome to states such as Arizona, North Dakota, Utah, Texas, Colorado etc.
Fran was preceded in death by her father, Lester Rudolph Henn; mother, Mary Virginia Henn; and brother, William Bryan Henn.
Surviving Fran are her five wonderful children, Harry F. Hettinger Jr. of Dover, DE, Ronnie G. Hettinger and wife Laura of Rehoboth Beach, DE, Elaine M. Ladich and husband Juergen of El Paso, TX, Dr. K. Elizabeth Hettinger-Larlham and husband Mark of Dover, DE, and Robert C. Hettinger of Dover, DE. She is also survived by her sister, Nancy A. Galligan from Albuquerque, NM; eight loving grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 Noon, Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 South State Street, Dover, DE 19901. A private burial for the family will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Dover, DE. Instead of flowers, the family requests you consider donations to Catholic Charities, 2099 South Dupont Highway, Dover, DE.
Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com