Athel V. Frame, 89, passed away Friday, March 27, 2020, at Brookdale Camelot, Medina, OH. Born July 19, 1930 to the late Troy and Rosa Workman.
Athel was a tremendously strong woman who married young and earned the honor of becoming mother to eight, grandmother to seventeen, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother to many. Tenacious by nature, she set standards and goals and did whatever it took to attain those goals. The lyrics to “My Way” could have been her anthem: …”Yes, there were times, I’m sure you know, When I bit off more than I could chew, But through it all when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all and stood up tall, AND DID IT MY WAY”.
In the early 1960’s, while raising a large family, she earned her Welding Certification from The University of Akron and began a 30-year welding career. Her nickname “Short Arc Lady” resulted from the respect of her peers; she did the Wendy the Welder Club proud. She welded hospital equipment for both Invacare and Hausted, retiring in 1992. She was a welder by day but remained a diva by night – dressed to the nines, polished nails and kicking it in 3-inch-high heels.
She belonged to the Grand Order of the Eastern Stars, serving in all capacities including Worthy Grand Matron. Athel was an avid outdoor woman who enjoyed working in her flower beds, her yard and her garden. She enjoyed fellowship with friends at Wellington Freewill Baptist Church. In more recent years, she enjoyed spending time and traveling with her long-time life companion, Harry Bickerton. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Lois (Ben) Bowers, Luray VA, Vic (Kay) Frame, Centreville VA, Ruth Frame, Las Vegas, Bethel Kurp, Mead WA and Sandy (Lenny) Neuman, Medina OH; three sisters, Viola Elkins, Josephine Huffman and Betty Fredersdorff. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norris Frame, son Delmas Frame, daughter Halene Bowers Napier, infant daughter Jacqueline, grandsons David Frame and Matthew Frame; and companion Harry Bickerton.
Family graveside services to honor and celebrate a life well-lived will be held at a later date once we are free to assemble after the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The family wishes to thank Brookdale Camelot staff and Brookdale Hospice for the loving kind care they provided, and to Bollinger Funeral Services for assisting with final arrangements in this trying time.
Memorial contributions to honor Athel may be made to Feeding Medina County, 650 W. Smith Rd., C-8, Medina, OH 44256 ( www.feedingmedinacounty.org ).