Frances Pavlovics

Once upon a time on a cold dark night, this world lost one of its brightest and best: the wild and wonderful Frances Pavlovics. She passed swiftly on January 24, 2026 at the age of 77 after spending the day with her very best friend, doing so many things that she loved. Fran left us after filling her years becoming a longtime partner, true love and royal pain in the butt to her adoring late husband Ainars; a fiercely supportive and proud mother to Elynnor (Tom) Kant and Emily (Tom but not the same Tom) Spring; a loving and challenging sibling and sibling in law to Marie (Richard) Grice, the late Jeannette (Frank) D’Alleva and Christine (Harry) Radtke; and the absolute hands down no contest GREATEST Grammy and Mimi to her grandchildren Zigmund Kant, Ozwald Kant, Nathan Spring, Hannah Spring, Jake Spring, and Molly Spring. I’m not kidding, no one was better, you can look it up. Just as important, she managed to become a scholar, a college graduate, a working professional and a strong and independent woman to be reckoned with. Born in Detroit in 1948, Fran has lived through and experienced some of the most altering cultural shockwaves of her generation: the civil rights movement, gender equality, Cold War, actual war, depressions, recessions, sex, drugs and rock n roll. Through it all she maintained her opinions and views however unpopular and always believed that every human deserved a voice and a place in the world she shared with them. Following her graduations from Denby High School, the University of Michigan, and Georgetown Fran’s working career spanned decades in her chosen field of physical therapy and then massage therapy. Never one who could idle, she stayed busy until the batteries wore out working with clients out of her home office, keeping her home and gardens immaculate and enjoying good food, wine, laughs and a black manhattan here and there with the people she loved. Although she drove us all nuts, her death leaves such a void that I am unsure it will ever be filled, and perhaps it shouldn’t. RIP to a truly lovely lady, the world is better because she was in it. Visitation for Frances will be held on Thursday, January 29, from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, January 30, from 10:00 a.m. until time of service, 11:00 a.m., at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, 705 W. Eleven Mile Rd. (four blocks east of Woodward), Royal Oak. Following the funeral, please join the family for a luncheon at The Great Dane Pub, 112 S. Main Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Outreach on 7th program through Royal Oak First United Methodist Church. Your donation supports their primary lunch program, along with providing essential pantry items and clothing to those in need. Donate on line at Outreach or make check out to Royal Oak First UMC, note "Outreach on 7th" and mail to 320 W. 7th Street, Royal Oak, MI 48067.

Frances Pavlovics

April 29, 1948 - January 24, 2026