1946 – 2013
Woodstock – Suzanne (Vaillant) Franklin, 66, of Stone Hill Rd., passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 8, 2013 in SaintFrancisHospital in Hartford after a short, but very courageous battle with lung cancer. She was the loving wife of the late Richard W. Franklin. Born and raised in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Gabriel (Bardier) Vaillant.
She attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from PutnamHigh School in 1964. It was here that she met her future husband, Richard. Together they raised four beautiful daughters, who were the center of her universe.
Suzanne was a well known member of the community. As an active member of the Putnam Rotary Club for many years, she enjoyed serving as President from 2002-2003, receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award. She also served as secretary for the Putnam Rotary Foundation. She was a “champion” for the Northeast Chamber of Commerce in every sense of the word. She served for 11 years on the Board of Directors and in 2006 she served as the President of the organization. In 1996, Sue was the recipient of the very last Athena Award presented from the Chamber. In 2008, she was recognized with the Chamber’s coveted Gold Key Award, an award presented for outstanding service. Suzanne was co-owner of Franklin Pharmacy and Home Health, Inc., and The Healthy Lady both formerly located in Woodstock.
Of the many accomplishments Suzanne has had, being a mother and Nana to 10 has been her greatest. Family is what mattered most to her; spending time with them and watching them grow brought her great joy. She also enjoyed traveling to Aruba and Maine with friends and family.
Suzanne is survived by her daughters, Amy Ponte and her husband Rick of Woodstock, Melissa Duncan and her husband Jeffrey of Woodstock, Rebecca Anderson and her husband Otto of Woodstock, and Allison Dumas and her husband Justin of Putnam; her grandchildren; Jessica, Cody, Chase, Parker, Garrett, Dominic, Olivia, R.J., and Avery; one great-grandson, Aiden; her brother, Gerry Vaillant and his wife Sandy of Putnam; her aunt Jeanne Lavallee; her special friend, Patty Breault and her goddaughter Susan Byrnes who helped Suzanne greatly during this difficult time, several nieces, nephews, treasured friends, and her beloved dog, Zoe. She is predeceased by two “sons” Erik Kohler of Germany, Ricardo Zulli of Brazil, and a son-in-law Joshua PetersonRelatives and friends are invited to visit with Suzanne’s family from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Funeral Service at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 in the East Woodstock Congregational Church, 220 Woodstock Rd, E. Woodstock, CT 06244. Memorial donations may be made to the Richard W. Franklin Memorial Fund, c/o Citizens National Bank, 182 Main St., Putnam, CT 06260 or in Sue’s name to the St. Francis Hospital Cancer Center, 114 Woodland St Hartford, CT 06105-1299. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Maddy Desroches
Becky and Alison,
I am saddened to hear of your Mom passing. I know how tough these next few days will be for your family’s . I used to see your Mom and Dad often at the Inn, and they were beautiful together. He was a wonderful man, which I know I mentioned to you Becky before, and I can’t blame your Mom for wanting to get going and being with him again. They both will give you the strength from above now. Thinking of you all .
Terry Guertin
Dear Amy, Melissa, Becky, & Allison,& Gerry
Nothing I can say can ease your sadness upon the loss of your dear Mom, Nana, sister, and very dear friend to me and my family. Just know that I loved her very much and that I pray for God’s blessings to see you all through this dark hour. Hang onto the memory of your Mom and Dad’s pride and joy they had for all of you and their dear grandchildren. God Bless you all.
Linda (Galvin) Christian
Amy, Missy, Becky and Allison,
I am very saddened to hear about the loss of your mother. You were all blessed with two wonderful parents who are together again.
Jeff Thebado
My deepest condolences to you all. Such an amazing woman & family! I was fortunate to work with Richard on getting the lettering just right on his boat – and later on the Pharmacy Doors as well as with Suzanne for the Healthy Lady & Franklin Home Health. Each year as the Memorial Golf Tournament came; I enjoyed sharing fun memories. Her presence in the community will be greatly missed. There is no doubt that heaven just got a little brighter!
Cecile & Quentin Frost
Amy,Missy,Becky,& Ali.
We have many happy,& loving memories of Suzanne & Richard.We will miss them dearly.We enjoyed many good times together.Suzanne was a special person & we are all lucky to have known her.
Denise Thibault
My deepest sympathy Allison to you and your family. May you all find strength together at this time….<3
Edward
My deepest condolence from Edward & Nidia wolter and family
Marian and Al Smat
she is at peace and with your dad. she will be with you in spirit,and in your hearts.We have many wonderful memories of all of you in the neighborhood.GOD BLESS YOU ALL ,YOU ARE ALL IN PRAYER
Rick & Kathy Hayes
My heart broke when I heard the news of your moms passing. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by so many people whose lives she touched in one way or another. I hope you can find strength in knowing that she is finally together with your dad and the 2 of them will forever live in your hearts. Smile when you think of them, they wouldn’t want you to be sad. You were all so lucky to have been given such wonderful parents. Be proud, Richard & Suzanne Franklin are together at last and will NEVER be forgotten. With Much Love, Rick & Kathy
Sandra Ebdon
We are so sorry for all of you for the loss of your Mom. She was a beautiful woman and I have so many happy memories of her and your Dad. Our Sunday baseball games, trips to Ogunquit and so many days at the lake. I will always think of how decked out she always was with her hair and makeup perfect. Her outfit matching what ever type of event she was attending and even just hanging at the lake and she always smelled great. She was a treasure and will be missed. By now her and Richard are probably relaxing on some new “Aruba” that they have discovered. Love you all.
Sandra, Drew, Ty and Max
Ginger Lynch
Beck, Alli, Miss & Amy…
So sad to hear of Mom’s passing. She was an inspiration and an example of great strength to me.. Her love for you all, like your fathers for her, was obvious to us all..remember the good times…love you all Ginger
Scott & Debbie Lefebvre
To the Franklin family: We are sorry for you loss. May the support of family & friends help you through your grief.
Tara Savoie
Thoughts and Prayers to you and your families
Vance Carter
My deepest sympathy to the Franklin Family. So sorry to hear of your loss. She was a giving person who gave unselfishly to her family and community.
Unfortunately, Joan and I cannot attend any services. We will be many hours away in Maine on Vacation. Your mom and family will be in my prayers during this difficult time.
Vance and Joan
Peter @ Betty Aucoin
To the Franklin family..We can!t imagine your deep sadness
In your hearts…you have a beautiful family your Mom & Dad
Taught you well.may your strength &. Memories carry all
Of you. Peter @ Betty Aucoin
Maxine Mann
Amy and family, So very sorry to hear of you loss. Knowing your Dad and Mom are together again should be the bright star in this terrible time. I don’t think I have ever know anyone that belonged together as much as your Mom and Dad. Deepest sympathy to you and your sisters.
Rick and Mary Place
To the Franklin Family,
Our deepest condolences for the family. Suzanne was a great person and a wonderful contributor to the Northeast. She will be sorely missed!
Don & Denise St.Onge
To the Franklin Family – our thougths and prayers are with you. I had the pleasure of knowing Suzanne for many years and more recently while serving on the Chamber board. Her tireless efforts for various events was appreciated by everyone she came in contact with. Her work on the Tastefully New England event helped to make it the successful event it is today. She had a smile that could fill a room and a love for life that was evident in all she did. Our deepest sympathies for your family.
Don & Denise
Diane Bardsley
Dear Franklin Family,
I enjoyed being your parents’ neighbor on Stone Hill Road while I was living in Woodstock. Our neighborhood was special because we watched each others’ homes grow from scratch and we shared the excitement that comes with great neighbors creating a beautiful environment together.
Your Mom’s legacy is forever blessed by the joy, friendship, and consideration she had for others. We were all blessed by her life.
Sincerely,
Diane E. Bardsley
Dawn Morin
Amy and family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. We are praying for God’s help in getting you all through this sad time.
The Morin family
Richard, Beth, Brie, & Kaitlyn Baron
Amy and family, you are always in our thoughts and prayers, especially during this sad time. We were saddened to hear the passing of your mom. She was such a classy lady and loved by all. I am positive that your dad, up in Heaven, greeted her with opened arms. They are now together again. Warmly, the Baron family xx
The Bousquet Family
On behalf of the Bousquet Family, (willie,fran,stephanie,and brittany)
We Pray for Suzanne and hope that her family will find true consolation in the memories they have of her. May she rest in Peace.
Jerry & Sandy McGovern
Dear Allison,
we are so sorry to hear about your Mom. Although we barely knew her personally, her legend always preceeded her. Take comfort in knowing she is in good company, and her only sadness is for those who mourn her departure. Her grandchildren now have a guardian angel that is not limited by time & space, and we hope you will all be able to feel her spirit within you.
Sincerely,
Jerry & Sandy McGovern
Kathy & Chuck Bousquet
Amy,Rick,Garrett,& Dominic we are so sorry to here about loss of your Mom/Grandma. Our Deepest sympathy to your whole Family. Kathy & Chuck
Richard & Sandra Dery
Our deepest sympathy to all the Franklin families. Your Mom and grandma will be sadly missed. We keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Richard & Sandra Dery
Ellen McGloine
Offering my most sincere condolences to the entire family. She was a wonderful, indomitable woman. She leaves a lasting legacy and will not be forgotten.
Ellen McGloine
Raymond R. Perry
Please accept my deepest condolences.
Mrs. Franklin was a wonderful person with whom it was a privilege form me to work with over several years.
Her thoughts and plans were always with her family foremost in mind, who she loved dearly. May she rest in peace.
Ray Perry
Melissa Duncan
Mama- All these years later and I’m reading these wonderful comments from friends and family. You were well loved and looked up to by many. I hope this healed the hole in your heart. You were a beautiful soul underneath it all. Miss you and love you always.