Frances Elizabeth Harkness (Wilkie)

Harkness, Frances Elizabeth (Wilkie)

Passed away October 17, 2023 at age 87. She was born March 3, 1936 in Jackson, Michigan to Thomas Wylie Wilkie and Elizabeth Thom (Milne) Wilkie. On February 6, 1960 she married Gerald Vincent Harkness in St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Frances' pride and joy are her four children, Thomas of Ferndale, Gerald Andrew of East Leroy, and Elizabeth and Leslie of Jackson. Along life's path, she "acquired" another daughter Cheryl Dwyer of Ferndale. Frances was a proud Jayhawk and graduated from Vandercook Lake High School in 1954 and was Valedictorian. In 1956, she was an honor graduate of Jackson Junior College and was a member of the Rho Delta Phi sorority. Frances was a member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Altar Society and Past President.  She was also a Club Scout and Girl Scout leaders.

Frances is survived by her four children; her sister, Muriel Boyd of Chelsea; her nephew, Tobin (Vickie) Boyd of Jackson; and her great-nephew, Christopher Boyd and his mother Sherrie Springer of Chelsea. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Wilkie; her husband, Gerald Harkness; brother-in-law, Jerry Boyd; and niece, Kimberly Boyd.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church with Father Tim Nelson officiating.  Interment will be held at St. John Catholic Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Church on Monday, October 23 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.

Contributions to the American Heart Association would be appreciated.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family Owned for 133 Years