Frances J. Chiville

Frances Chiville (née Jewell), 99, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2020, two weeks before her 100th birthday, at Avon Oaks Caring Community in Avon. Frances was born in Sargent, Nebraska on July 15, 1920. She spent her childhood on her grandparents’ farm in Nebraska and her teenage years in California, where she met her future husband John. She joined him during World War II in Washington DC, where they were wed in 1941. She then lived in DC, in Riverdale, Maryland, for 35 years in Greenbelt, Maryland, and later with her daughters in Kansas and Ohio.

Frances was known for her sharp mind and remarkable memory, enhanced no doubt by a life-long habit of reading, crossword puzzles, and a strong interest in history and current events. She loved sharing her life experiences with others. She served as a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout den mother, a school library volunteer, and PTA advocate. She and John enjoyed traveling, especially to see family. She took pride particularly in her quilting and knitting, making baby blankets for all her grandchildren and great- grandchildren and producing over 350 knit hats for the homeless while living in Kansas and Ohio.

Frances is survived by her daughter Janice (James) Zinser of Ohio; her son Michael Chiville (Penny Scrivens) of Maryland; her son-in-law James A. (Betty) Lynn of Kansas; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John Chiville, daughter Carol Lynn, and her father Frank Jewell and stepmother Ruth Jewell.

The family offers deep gratitude for the care Frances received from the staff at Avon Oaks over the last four years. We are also thankful for recent care provided by Mercy Regional Hospital Lorain and Mercy New Life Hospice.

Arrangements are being handled by Cowling Funeral Home in Oberlin (www.cowlingfuneralhomeoh.com). A private commemoration of Frances’ life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Frances’ name to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northern Ohio (www.secondharvestfoodbank.org), to Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org), or to the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (www.loc.gov/nls/about/support-nls/

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