Obituary of Lorraine Rubis Franckle

Dr. Lorraine Rubis Franckle 

Died Monday, January 30 at home under Hospice care after a long illness with her husband Neil and nephew Lawson Brown at her side. 

She was born in Minneapolis to Lawrence and Anne Rubis where she attended local schools. She had an early interest in music and science. Recently she was inducted into the Roosevelt High School Hall of fame for outstanding achievement. 

She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in mathematics and a minor in chemistry. 

She received her M.D. also from the University of Minnesota in 1968. She did a residency in General Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. This was the beginning of a distinguished career the next step of which was as a resident in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Toronto then Baylor Hospital in Dallas. 

She and Dr. J.D. Harrah established the first cardiac surgery program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington WV in 1979 and led the surgical training program of medical students and residents. She served on the medical faculty of Marshall University School of Medicine where she received an award for Outstanding Faculty Member in 1982, 1984 and 1985. 

She was one of the founding members of Women in Thoracic Surgery in 1988 and was passionate about mentoring young women physicians who aspired to be Cardiothoracic surgeons. She married her longtime sweetheart Dr. Cornelius (Neil) Franckle in 1991 in Minneapolis. Following this, the couple took up residence in Tierra Verde where they have lived since in their dream home. 

In St. Petersburg, Dr. Rubis practiced at Largo Medical Center and Northside Hospital until she retired from medicine in 2010. 

She enjoyed singing as a “bari” in the Gulf to Bay Chorus of Sweet Adelines International for many years, going on tour with the group and accompanied by her husband to Italy, Greece and many U.S. destinations for competitions.  

She was an active chapter member of University of Minnesota Alumni. She served as President and other offices in the local chapter of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. 

She helped steer the Friends of the Main Library as President , sponsoring many Saturday events including book author presentations, art appraisal events and musical shows. She was delighted to host the Madrigalians at Christmas time. 

She participated in the Library program of English instruction for speakers of other languages and tutored students in reading at several schools offering such programs. Most recently, she participated in Tutoring Angels of Pass-a-Grille Community Church. Lorraine was a brilliant, caring, kind and generous person who supported many causes. She joined with her friend Lee Fox to help out with the founding of Save Our Seabirds. 

She and her husband travelled extensively when she was able, to Hong Kong, Singapore, the Baltic countries, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and other parts of Europe. It had been her husband’s longtime wish to take her to Cuba, which he did; on a tour of orchidariums. The couple made several trips to the Bahamas in their plane. 

They sponsored exchange students from the Czech Republic and Slovenia. 

She and her husband were enthusiastic members of ASPEC and the Pass-a-Grille Community Church of Christ. 

Lorraine will be missed by many. 

She is survived by her loving husband Dr. Cornelius (Neil) Franckle, a sister Sherill Jacobson of Apple Valley, MN. She was predeceased by her sister Jean Arendt (Lawson). She is survived also by Nieces Connie Lind (Bill), Lisa Popp (Scott), and Danielle Plut (John), Nephew Ron Arendt, and great nephews Max and Chase Popp who all love her very much. 

A Memorial and Celebration of a beautiful life will be held on Tuesday, February 21 at 10:30 AM at the Pass-a-Grille Community Church. The family wishes that any contributions be made to your cause or charity of choice or Southern Poverty Law Center or ACLU. 

To view a Recording of the Memorial Service: CLICK HERE