Frances Leona (Wright) Nally

In Loving Memory of
Frances Leona Nally

Frances Leona (Wright) Nally passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on February 13, 2024, at her home in Grand Junction, CO.

Frances was born on January 10, 1935, in Hales Point, TN to Robert Kelcie and Lucille (James) Wright. Like most children raised during the Depression, her family moved around while her father searched for work to support his family. Over the years the family spent time in IA, MO and IL, but the majority of her childhood was spent in Tennessee living near, or with her paternal grandparents. In 1942 her father was sent to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada to help build the ALCAN highway, and was later assigned to Attu Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. In 1946 after WWII ended, Frances, her younger sister, Elizabeth, and their mother moved to Attu, later the family moved to Adak, before relocating to Naknek Air Base (later renamed King Salmon AFB) near Bristol Bay, Alaska. The family made their home in King Salmon/Naknek, Alaska working, commercial fishing and homesteading for many years.

In 1954, at the age of 19, Frances met the love of her life, Sidney (Sid) L. Nally, while he was stationed at King Salmon Air Force Base as an Air Policeman. The couple were married on October 1, 1955, after Sid completed his military service. They made their home in King Salmon, where Sid eventually went to work for the CAA (now the FAA – Federal Aviation Administration). In 1956, at the age of 21, Frances was appointed as the second Postmaster of King Salmon PO, assuming that role after the death of her mother, who was the first Postmaster of King Salmon PO. Frances served as Postmaster until the fall of 1962, when the family moved to Annette Island, AK for Sid’s work. In 1965 Sid was transferred to Cape Yakataga, and in 1967 the family moved to Cordova, AK. By this time, their family had grown to 5 children, 4 girls and one boy. The family left Alaska in July 1974 and settled in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Through the years Frances made a living as a Postmaster, commercial fisherwoman, sales clerk and Bookkeeper. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, crafting, crocheting and thrift-store shopping. She was also an avid genealogist – spending countless hours researching family histories for every member (new and old) of her family. She was a strong, compassionate, tenacious, and courageous woman who tried to instill these qualities/characteristics in her children and extended family.

She and Sid were blessed with 55 years of marriage, prior to his death in 2010. Her greatest joy in life was her family. In total Frances and Sid had 5 children (Lucy (Andy) Kolenut, Kay Schritter, Carrie (Stuart) Rogers, Elizabeth Balerio (Matthew Vogt) and Paul Nally); 11 grandchildren (Cassandra (Wes) Williams, Andy Kolenut, Kelsey Kolenut, Sara (Heath) McCombs, Alix Hunter, Amanda (Chase) Spaid, Kristin Stoner, Michael Balerio, Heather Jung, Rachel (Aaron) Miller and Syndey Willis); 24 great grandchildren (Arri Williams, Maya (Garrett) Flynn, Alex Williams, Tyler Breckenridge, Caelen Kolenut, Aiden Kolenut, Isabelle Kolenut, Bronson Satterly, Madison Satterly, Elias Hunter, Jaron Hunter, Anna Hunter, Delanie Spaid, Wylan Spaid, Kalie Stoner, Jordan Burke, Emma Rose, Jadyn Ward, Carolanne Jung, Zachary Jung, Adelyn Jung, Sawyer Miller, Noah Miller and Charlotte Miller); and 6 great-great-grandchildren (Kaara, Darryn, Kaliah, Kyler, Astrid and baby-girl Flynn). She is also survived by 2 nephews, Mark and Curt Schmidt, both of Wasilla, AK. In addition, she was a surrogate mother/grandmother to many others she felt needed her.

We would like to thank the staff of Abode Hospice for providing excellent care for Mom in her final months, weeks, days and hours. She was truly grateful to be able to remain in the comfort of her own home until the very end. We take comfort in knowing that she was welcomed into heaven by the arms of those she missed so dearly and rejoice that she would spend Valentine’s Day once again with Daddy.

At Mom’s request, her ashes will be interned with Daddy’s at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction, CO, at 1 p.m. Monday, March 4th. A celebration of life will follow the interment of ashes at her home (2435 Hill Avenue) from 3 to 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

     Abode Hospice

     744 Horizon Ct, Suite 110

     Grand Junction, CO 81506

     Phone: (970) 658-8705

     Website: BrightSpringHealth.com

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