Cover photo for Frances Cates's Obituary
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In Memory Of
Frances Cates
1952 2022

Frances Cates

April 20, 1952 — October 5, 2022

Fran Cates (nee Ruggieri), age 70, of Cincinnati, Ohio passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2022 peacefully at home.

She was born on April 20, 1952 in Cincinnati, the daughter of Frank and Lucille (nee Fehr) Ruggieri.

She married William "Woody" Charles Cates on July 29, 1977 in Cincinnati, Ohio and they spent nearly 50 years creating a very full life together.

Fran was a teacher and childcare provider who loved spending time with her large family. She was an avid reader, gardener and cook, and she used her talents to devote countless hours to caring for others. Her boundless enthusiasm for travel, entertainment and Andy Williams songs will be greatly missed. Fran was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and she was truly one-of-a-kind.

She is survived by her husband, Woody Cates; her daughters, Barbara (Mike) Prusila and Sarah (Dan) Roller; her granddaughters, Cates and Pearl Prusila; her siblings Bill (Iva Kravitz) Ruggieri, Cathy Colque, Margy (Richard) Cates, Tom (Rebecca Graff) Ruggieri, Jeanne (Alan Wagner) Ruggieri, and Mary (Chris) Macfarlane; her nieces and nephews Rick (Allison) Cates, Will (Erica Gates) Cates, Nick Ruggieri, Tony (Katherine) Colque, Lucas (Alexis) Ruggieri, Franklin Wagner, Leah Wagner and Lewis Macfarlane; and, her great nephews and niece Harrison Cates, Keaton Cates and Camille Cates.

Fran is preceded in death by her parents.

A private memorial service will be held to celebrate Fran's life.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Fran's devotion to childcare, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN (38105)

To share a memory of Fran or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Cates, please visit our flower store.

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