Allmond, Frances O.

Frances Oliphant Allmond, of Wilmington, died on February 1st at the age of 90. Her beloved husband, Charles, predeceased her in 2019. Charles and Frances married at the end of their senior year of college and remained steadfast partners and sweethearts for the next 66 years. Our hearts are heavy but filled with joy knowing they are now embracing for eternity. In addition to her son Bayard W. Allmond, III (Susan) and daughter Sarah A. Long (Darrell), she is survived by grandchildren Jacquelyn Allmond (Martin Ranalli), Bradley Allmond (Stacey Richardson), Taylor Long Holladay (Justin) and Nathaniel Long, and great-grandsons Bennett Holladay, Bryce Holladay and Wheeler Allmond. She is also survived by her brother John Oliphant of Ashburn, VA and her sister Eleanor Oliphant Britton of Southbury, CT.

Her love of God, family and country shaped how she lived. She became a licensed Lay Eucharistic Minister in 1983, one of the first to answer God’s Call to this ministry. Frances was a lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church where she served as Senior Warden of the Vestry, on the Bishop’s Diocesan Council, and Directress of the Altar Guild, designing beautiful needlepoint kneelers for the Church and Chapel.

A tenth generation Swedish-American whose ancestors arrived in New Sweden aboard the Kalmar Nyckel in 1638, she lived in Delaware all her life. Frances graduated from P.S. duPont High School (1949) and received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware (1953). She was the first in her family to graduate from College. Frances went on to serve UD through the Friends of the Performing Arts, Alumni Association Class Representative, and President of the Library Associates. She was honored to receive the 1997 University of Delaware Outstanding Alumni Award.

Frances was active in civic and cultural affairs, serving on the boards of several non-profit organizations in the State, including Guild President of the Grand Opera House, and Chair of the 1974 Wilmington Flower Market. She honored her ancestors service to our Country by becoming a member of the Daughter of American Revolution, Caesar Rodney Chapter and National Society of Colonial Dames Delaware. Frances loved genealogy, and compiled and published Abner Prince Talley, his ancestors and the descendants of Abner Prince Talley and Hannah Mary Harkins. Charles and Frances shared a love of Delaware history which led her to guide at Winterthur, Buena Vista, Nemours Mansion & Gardens, and the Historical Society of Delaware.

She was an accomplished seamstress, dressmaker, and skilled with all kinds of needlework. Frances had a flair for flower arranging and would bake delicious Christmas cookies every year in amazing quantities! Above all, her priority was always her family. We will treasure the memories she made with each of us forever.

A visitation will be held on February 25, 2022, from 10:00am to 11:00am at Grace Episcopal Church, 4900 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE, 19803, followed immediately by a memorial service. Masks are required. Interment at the Newark Union Cemetery will be private. To honor Frances, the family suggests donations to Grace Episcopal Church Memorial Fund. Funeral arrangements by McCrery & Harra.

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