"Frankie owned a deeply held love of family, friends, and life," said former Frost School of Music's Dean James William (Bill) Hipp. "She possessed a fertile and creative vision and insights about human nature and art and was drawn to those who shared her interests and values. She would challenge those who did not in a gracious and sometimes humorous way."
As William tells her story, her family moved 21 times during and immediately after WW II due to Frankie's father being a naval officer. Among the schools she attended were the St. Agnes School in Alexandria, VA; the Sorbonne in Paris; and Holton Arms in Washington, D.C. Those cultural and societal influences helped her develop a love for art, music, gourmet cuisine, and fashion. A decade later, this led her to follow a career as a model in Honolulu and Los Angeles. This opportunity prompted her to teach others to identify their talents and skills in the fashion industry. In the early 70s, she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where she established a school for aspiring young models. There, she met Bill, and they were married in 1972.
Upon Bill's appointment as dean of the University of Miami School of Music, which later became the Frost School of Music, Frankie served as co-founder for an endowment for undergraduate music majors. She was also a member of The Society of University Founders, the oldest recognized donor society at the University of Miami, and the Diamond Society of the Nicklaus Children's Hospital.
Frankie stood by her husband as a devoted and generous volunteer supporting the Frost School of Music, always striving to promote the school by cultivating activities that would raise funds for the school. She was constantly stimulated and motivated by talented students and devoted faculty. If you walk into the lobby of the Weeks Music Library, you will see a portrait hanging on the wall to your right of Una Weeks, mother of Weeks Library donor Austin Weeks, who commissioned Frankie to create that portrait and was very moved by its likeness to his mother.
Upon hearing of Frankie's passing, present Frost of School of Music Dean Shelton Berg said, "Frankie was a unique and talented person. She and Bill were a dynamic couple who worked tirelessly for 24 years on behalf of the school, presided over the Frost naming 20 years ago, and attracted many friends and benefactors, some of whom continue to support the school today."
She is survived by Bill, her husband for over 50 years; two daughters: Mary Macaulay Williams in Fredericksburg, TX (husband Timothy) and Daryn Macaulay Kirchfeld in Tequesta, FL (husband Rene); and five grandchildren: Alexandra Becker, Nicole Williams, Malia Williams, Hamill Williams, Trenton Kirchfeld, and Mason Kirchfeld. There will be no public memorial. The family suggests that donations be made to the Dementia Society of America.
