Frances Grace Shields passed away at the age of 75 on Sunday afternoon October 2nd 2022, surrounded by family. Frances Grace was born June 10th 1947 in Philadelphia PA, she spent a significant portion of her life in Washington, DC, Hyattsville, MD and finally, Virginia Beach, VA. She worked at the US Department of Agriculture in Maryland for 27 years.
Franny was most proud of her family and loved them very much. She was preceded in death by her youngest son, “her baby boy” Christopher “Chris” Charles Shields, her sister Kathleen and brother-in-law Cecilio Hermoso. She is survived by her sons, Carl “Dusty” Shields (wife Holly) and Brian Shields, she was very proud of her boys.
Her Pride and joy and light of her life were her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She is survived by her grandchildren, Cheryl Anne (Shields) McGowan (husband Justin), Taylor Elizabeth Shields, Daniel Patrick Shields (wife Kristen), Griffin Shields (wife Shayla), Grant Shields, Brian Shields, Jr., and Brianna (Shields) Mendez, Zachary Shields, Mathew Shields, and Jacob Shields.
Her great grandchildren whom she adored and who only referred to her as Sunshine, Elliette “Ellie” Shields, Vincent “Vince” McGowan, Veda McGowan, and newborn whom she never had the opportunity to meet, Judson Layne Shields.
Franny was a loving and devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews who loved and adored her, Randy, Jay, Kenny, Elena, and Lori, “The Hermoso’s “and their spouses.
Frances Grace was a kind loving soul, she loved her family and her lifelong friends. If you know Franny you know this is what she would want to leave you with, “remember kindness, always choose kindness.”
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 14th, 2022, at Family Choice Funerals & Cremations
In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in her name at Stand for the Silent https://standforthesilent.org/ .
Service
Celebration of Life
Family Choice Funerals & Cremations
5401 Indian River Road. Virginia Beach, VA 23464
October 14, 2022
1:00pm
Condolences to the family as Franny ( as we called her) will be missed. Praying for peace and comfort.
We have lots of memories as kids n will cherish those memories.
Im do sorry for the shields family i will miss our talks r.i.p cuz love you
Our condolences to all. Sunshine was an amazing person and she will be missed. Love and Light to All.
Franny was like a second mom to me I have been friends with her sons for as long as I can remember she was such a kind person the world has lost a Beautiful soul
Very sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to the entire family. God bless all.
To our Dear Fran best friend and neighbor, so many joyful times together at the pool, shopping, dinner’s, sharing books to read. You will always be in our hearts Family first and Kindness REST IN PEACE LOVE ANNMARIE and ROBERT 10 2 2022
I will always be grateful for the love and caring and friendship you showed me and my kids. I will be forever grateful to you for sharing your most precious possessions, Dusty, Brian & Chris. (until your grandchildren and great grandchildren came along 😊). I’ll always remember your famous bourbon hotdogs, grape jelly meatballs and my personal favorite, your chocolate chip pumpkin cake. You’re one of our cherished neighborhood mom’s and will be missed and remembered fondly. To the Shields family….I love you all. Am sending heartfelt hugs and prayers.
Im sorry for the loss of you mother, aunt, and grandmother. Rest in Paradise cousin Frannie with Uncle George, Aunt Rose, Kathleen and Hermoso.
Sunshine you are loved and missed. My heart goes out to everyone who knew her and I pray you find peace. Fran I will cherish the time our family had to spend with you, from pool days to cola cake. We love you.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
Condolences to the Shield family. Praying for peace.
My deepest condolences to the Shield family. Rest In Peace cousin Franny.
My dear Fran…I will miss you my friend. We met at USDA over 30+ years ago and have many memories together. We enjoyed so many lunches together ….ahhh the roast beast sandwiches and only eating one french fry !!! Feeding pancakes to our dog…priceless! Your Apple Brown Betty and the meatballs with grape jelly…which I still make to this day. Rest In peace…until we meet again. Condolences and prayers to your family.
It is with shock that I send my sincere condolences to the family of Fran Shields. I just became aware of Frans passing. I met Fran over 30 years ago while we both worked on the USDA, VS, Import/Export animals staff. Fran was one of the sweetest person I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. She always gave me respect as a female veterinarian working on a male dominated agency.she would go out of her way making sure & made others did the same. We used to keep in touch on Face book until I deleted my account. Although we lost touch for a few years…I will always remember how sweet & kind Fran was.