Frances Schroff
Frances Benz Schroff, 71, died on March 25, 2017, peacefully, at Alexian Brothers Valley Residence in Chattanooga with her husband, Udo, by her side.
Frances "Frani" was born on Dec. 4, 1945 in Jersey City, N.J.., to Alice Wilson and William George Benz, Jr. She and her family moved to Rutherford, NJ where the close knit family created many happy memories with her aunts, uncles and cousins. Her father joined Combustion Engineering as an executive, which moved the family to Connecticut, and eventually to Chattanooga where she met her husband.
She graduated from the University of Tennessee with honors in secondary education and math. Soon thereafter, she and Udo were married. While he served in Vietnam, Frani taught in the Head Start program in Chattanooga. Upon Udo's return, they moved to Fort Bragg and then to Virginia where she taught second and third grades. There were subsequent moves to New York/New Jersey, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Boston. The family's last move was to Rhode Island.
Proficient in Spanish and German, she welcomed a Spanish Exchange student into their home in Rhode Island. She also tutored a Chinese brother and sister in English for several years and taught English as a second language to adult Hispanic immigrants.
Frani operated a national aerobic dancing franchise for 30 years. She was a notable athlete, traveling to play tennis with her area team, and skiing with her family out west and in the Alps. She was one of the few women who hiked the peaks of the German Alps. She supported her husband and sons' passion for sailing. Being the only female and thus the smallest in the Schroff family, she reluctantly agreed to being hauled up a 60 foot mast on the family's sailboat to check an electrical connection on more than one occasion. Her three Portuguese water dogs, were great company for her on the boat and walking in the park with close friends. She was well known for her homemade bread and pretzels which were requested when nieces and nephews came to visit.
Recognizing the importance of giving back, she served as chair of Hospice Rhode Island's chief fundraiser, a regatta weekend, for more than a decade helping them raise over $1 million to carry out the mission of the organization. She served on the Vestry at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Wickford, RI and sang in the choir.
Frani was preceded in death by her father.
She is survived by her sons, Michael C. Schroff of Chicago, and Peter W. Schroff, his wife Molise and grandson Kyler and "one on the way" of Cranston, RI, her mother, Alice Wilson Benz of Signal Mountain, her sister, Christine Benz Smith (Gordon L., Il.) of Soddy Daisy, brother, James W. Benz (Catherine) of Atlantic Beach, FL, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family will receive friends at St Timothy's Episcopal Church, Signal Mountain on March 31, from 9:30 a.m., followed by a celebration of her life at 11 a.m. There will be a private burial at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga. Pallbearers will be Michael C. Schroff, Peter W. Schroff, Gordon L. Smith III, Gordon L. Smith IV, John A. Wright and James A. Harris.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Frances Benz Schroff ROTC/Nursing Scholarship Fund at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Office Of Development, Department 6806, 605 Oak Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37403.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.