Frances Alfreda Tacy Ellis

FRANCES ALFREDA TACY ELLIS Frances Alfreda Tacy Ellis was born on April 23, 1952 in Benton Harbor, Mich. to Lester Ivan Tacy, Sr. and Pearl Modell (James) Tacy. She passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at the Vista Grande Inn in Cortez at the age of 60. Frances attended the University of Kentucky where she received her Bachelor of Science in nursing and went on to earn her Masters in nursing education at the University of Phoenix. She worked for 30 years as an R.N. in emergency rooms, home health, and hospice. She was the director of the nursing program at Navajo Technical College in Crown Point, N.M. Frances was also a member of numerous professional nursing associations. Frances enjoyed playing the flute and she sang in the Messiah Choir in Independence, Mo. She was an avid knitter, seamstress and enjoyed making crafts. Frances also loved to cook, bake and entertain but her greatest love was spending time with her grandchildren. Surviving Frances are her mother, Pearl Tacy of Independence, Mo.; her children, Ivana Ellis of Many Farms, Ariz. and John Lee Ellis, III and his wife, Cristina, of Seaside, Calif.; her grandchildren, Noah Andrew Ellis-Thomas of Many Farms, Ariz., Sofia Cristina Rivera-Ellis and Olivia Ana Lee Ellis both of Seaside, Calif.; her siblings, Rilla Tacy Fields and husband, Dr. Edward Fields of Pagosa Springs, Colo., Charlotte Tacy Holliday and husband, Darryl R. of Germantown, Md., Claudia Tacy Scott of Many Farms, Ariz. and Lester Ivan Tacy, Jr. and wife, Stephanie of Cincinnati, Ohio; her sister-in-law, Carolyn Tacy of Atchison, Kans.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Frances was preceded in death by her father, Lester Ivan Tacy, Sr.; and her brother, Donald G. Tacy. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tacy Foundation in Germantown, Md. which provides music for healing to hospitals and to the military. Please feel free to explore at www.tacyfoundation.synthasite.com. A celebration of life will be held at Harvest Hills Community in Independence, Mo. at a later date.