Obituary: Francis McIlvain, formerly of Middletown

Obituary provided Pfleger Funeral Home. 

Frances H. McIlvain passed away at home on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. She was born in East Orange, and was raised in Medford New Jersey. She later moved to Middletown, with her husband, Douglas, before moving to Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls, in 2001. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Temple University and continued her scholastic pursuit of the arts in Europe and the United States.  She had worked as a staff artist for Halsted & Van Vechten Advertising Agency and the Bendix Corporation before becoming an art teacher for the Tinton Falls Public School System for many years.

Fran was best known for her artistic talent in painting landscapes, still life, and abstracts. Her paintings combined watercolor, acrylics and paper collage to create exciting new visual effects.  Fran's subject matter came from varying motivations. Extensive world travel had supplied her inspiration, but her everyday visualizations also influenced what she painted.  Her work was published in three books: "Best of Watercolor - Painting Color"; "SPLASH 3"; and "Portraits / 2".  She was also represented by The Guild of Creative Art, Shrewsbury, and The Hang-Up Gallery, Sarasota, Florida.  Her work was exhibited at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rutgers University, and in various public venues. Fran was the President of the New Jersey Watercolor Society from 1992-1993; a Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society; an Elected Member of the Garden State Watercolor Society; a Founding Member of the Guild of Creative Art; and is listed in Who's Who in American Art and Who's Who of American Women. She was an avid gardener, devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She was predeceased by her parents F. Earl Haines and Edith Braddock Haines; and her brothers Earl (Burnie), Frank and Edwy; and her sister Jean. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Douglas L. McIlvain, a daughter Bonnie Werse and her husband Steven, a son James McIlvain and his wife Carol, five grandchildren, Michael Werse, Valerie Werse, Grace McIlvain, Mark McIlvain, and Mary McIlvain; and a brother Charlie Haines.

Her interment will be private at the request of the family.  Friends and relatives are invited to a memorial service to be held at 11 a.m. on August 10, 2013, at Seabrook Village, 300 Essex Road, Tinton Falls, NJ. where a remembrance of Fran's life will be celebrated.