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| Birth: | 18 Apr 1924 in Bristol Pa |
| Death: | 2 Apr 1992 in Willingboro NJ |
| Sex: | F |
| Father: | Earl Tomlinson b. 10 Feb 1905 in Phila Co Phila PA |
| Mother: | Mary Worthington b. 6 Nov 1905 in Yardley Bucks PA |
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| Burial: 4 Apr 1992 Bristol Cemetery, PA, RTE 13 and RTE 413 |
| Occupation: Teacher, 38 years |
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| PHOTOCHILD: |
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| Edward Sabol (Husband) b. 7 Jul 1924 in Garfield NJ
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| Marriage: | 25 MAY 1946 in Levittown PA |
| Divorce: | MAY 1957 in Levittown Bucks County PA |
| Children: | |
 Baby Sabol b. 1 Feb 1955 in Levittown PA
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Individual:
Frances May TOMLINSON is the daughter of Mary Lee Worthington and Earl Benjamin TOMLINSON. Frances's middle name, May, comes from her grandmother's middle name.
Frances graduated Bristol High School, Bristol PA, 1941; B.A. Degree West Chester State University in 1945, Masters Degree Trenton State College about 1966, see newspaper article. Later earned Masters plus 30 credits, working toward Doctorate. Finished 38 year career in teaching and education as a Guidance Counselor at Woodrow Wilson High School in Levittown, Bucks Co. PA, school renamed Harry S. Truman in the 1970's.
Frances May TOMLINSON, was a public school teacher in Pennsylvania who retired after 38 years in education. Born in 1924, much of her adult life she admired Eleanor Roosevelt and treasured all that she represented and fought to support.
You can imagine Frances' joy when, as a single mother raising her first 3 children, she was selected to present a recognition to Mrs. Roosevelt on the occasion of a dedication of a new school. The school was dedicated, named Franklin Delano Roosevelt, November 20, 1958.
Frances' family notes indicated that Mrs. Roosevelt spoke for one hour on the United Nations that day. Frances' presentation speech is noted in our family files, along with the original photo of the presentation to Mrs. Rooseve lt.
Unknown to Frances at the time, she was actually cousin to Mrs. Roosevelt. Frances and Eleanor both descend from the LUKENS family line, with a common ancestor in William LUKENS. While Frances was raised in a LUKENS home, s he never knew of her connection to Mrs. Roosevelt. Only that Eleanor made a difference in her life, and the lives of so many others. In keeping with the daily blessings that Frances could find in her life, nearly one year sin c e her last darkest day when her husband deserted his pregnant wife and two toddler sons, she was face to face with a hero who, unknowingly, helped her survive.
In addition to receiving an award for four years of perfect attendance in high school, Frances was the first in her large family to finish high school, to go to college, and then became a lifetime educator and was deeply humb led by the opportunity to honor Mrs. Roosevelt. From the little girl on Race Street in Bristol PA, with a very humble life. As many as 12 family members lived in the little row home in Bristol, with one giant upstairs bedroom. Frances had two dresses throughout high school, wearing one and washing one. Her mother worked in the factories to help support the household, and all members of the family walked the railroad tracks to collect coal from the r ails that had 'rattled' off the train cars, which was then used to heat the home. Now, with all humility evidenced in that snapshot moment, she met her hero, the humanitarian wife of the only four term president of the United St ates. The photo is stored within.
In 2004, both the Eleanor Roosevelt Papers project out of George Washington University, and the national Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Museum were intrigued by the family story. They both requested the story and a c opy of the photo for their projects, both of which are online on the internet.
On December 24, 1956 (less than 5 months before Nancy would be born) after almost 12 years of marriage, Edward Sabol abandoned the family: Frances and two sons aged 5 and 6. Just two years earlier her mother died and France s miscarried a son through the emotional distress.
When her husband left, Frances was able to maintain the marital home on Penn Street in West Bristol for a short while. In fact, in January, when Ed's tax clients called or showed up for their appointments, Frances led them to b elieve that she had joined the business and she began doing the tax returns, as Ed was still missing. She later described that she simply read the tax bulletins and looked things up as she went along. (She continued the taxb u siness for life, building to over 800 clients who followed her to New Jersey)
Having left the home Christmas Eve, to go to the store, Ed was now missing, and because he was politically active in some important campaigns, a tri-state police alert was issued, suspecting foul play. Some time that spring t he police received a report that a man a woman pretending to be Mr. and Mrs. Sabol were attempting to use the missing Sears credit card to buy a washer in Harrisburg Pa. The state troopers converged on the store, only to find E d and some woman. (In an odd twist, twenty years later, family caretaker Susan Watkins Force moved to Harrisburg area and got her first job outside the home -- selling those appliances in that very Sears.) Because desertio n was a crime, they offered to arrest Ed, but Frances just asked that they bring him home. Within days he left again. Later, Nancy was born, to Frances alone. The Nichols family, of Nichols Pools in Levittown, were especiall y k ind, including Nancy Nichols. The new baby girl, who was to have been Sarah Lee, was instead named Nancy Lee.
By the time the baby Nancy was age nine months the family lost their West Bristol home to a sheriff's sale. Frances found a home in the newest development of tract housing called "Levittown" in Bucks Co. Pennsylvania. Howeve r, it was 1958 and the banks would not approve a single mother for a mortgage, despite her almost 15 years of employment as a teacher.
When the bank denied the sale, the seller, a man in the military, agreed to take the home off the market and rent the home to Frances and her 3 young children. Within 6 months, however, he was suddenly notified of an immediate transfer overseas. The bank had to sell the home or risk losing the property. Out of their desperation, Frances was approved and bought the home that ultimately stayed in the family until the 1990's.
Frances was fearful, however, that Edward Sabol might find a way to make a claim to any asset if he were to return. She considered putting the home in trust for her children, but still felt concerned about her future. Her s ons were named after their father and grandfather, repectively, and she feared documents might be unclear. So she purchased the home in the name of her Aunt Gladys (TOMLINSON BUCK) in trust for children, which it remained unti l the late 1970's.
Frances went on to raise 4 children, two boys and two girls as a single mom during a time when divorce was a stigma and single mothers were rare. While other women were praised as mothers at home, Frances worked outside the h ome as a teacher, and found at least four other incomes she could earn, mostly working at home.
Stigmas were many in those years. One year, in the 60's Frances was turned away from voting, citing she had an outstanding bankruptcy (which had been her ex-husband's). What we now know was illegal, this action not only stol e her vote that year, it struck fear in her heart when she returned to the polls the following year, fearing some similar embarassing announcement.
In fact, when facing that bankruptcy incurred by her ex-, Frances was at risk and being hounded by bill collectors who were eager to pressure her in ways that laws have since been designed to prevent. On one occassion, collec tors came banging at the door screaming and shouting from the front lawn and threatening to take her possessions to make up for the debt. What they didn't know was that Frances had company at the time. A Sears representative w as in the home, taking a credit application for Frances to install wall to wall carpeting on the hard linoleum-covered concrete floor. He was in the process of telling her it didn't look financially good when the 'bad guys' sh owed up. The Sears representative was so infuriated with their treatment of her, he went out, threatened them, chased them away (never to return), and he came back into the home. He not only approved her for the carpet,he sug gested she get new kitchen appliances, as well.
Additionally, Frances again broke barriers when she returned to school and in the mid-1960's, completing her Master's degree at Trenton State College, NJ. Frances continued with graduate studies accumulating Masters plus 30, falling just shy of a PhD, lacking only a doctoral thesis. Frances was careful to take on only those obligations that did not detract from time with her children and her favorite job: Mom.
In the 1960's Frances also established the first head-start program in Levittown Pa, for underpriveleged children. She established a generous and loving preschool setting for underpriveleged black children in Levittown PA, pr imarily located in Fleetwing. During this time of strong civil unrest and race riots, Frances crossed barriers and was a beloved woman in the minority neighborhood, in fact often under the protection of the community itself. O ften were the days that Fran's children would be told of others less fortunate and simply clean out their closet of coats, shoes, toys and clothing for her to share with this other community. This from a single mom of fourch il dren, with a teacher-paycheck only ten months a year.
Some favorite sayings:
"If I have it--you have it."
"If its educational, I'll pay for it."
"Consider the source."
"People judge others by themselves."
"Always make them wonder what you have to smile about."
"This is what I have instead of money in the bank.", when introducing her children.
"You painted by the light you had that day."
"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
Frances was raised a practicing Methodist but, when married, joined the Lutheran Church, raising her children in that faith where her first husband was a Deacon. Frances lived a Christian life and each struggle after struggl e was somehow just another step along the way to her. She said that the bible verse she cherished most and believed so deeply helped her was Romans 8:28. Paraphrased KJV, All things work together for good to those that believ e in God and follow his purpose. Yes, bad things happen but God will work all things for good for those who believe in him and follow his will.Married Sabol 1945, Raivio 1961, Fursa 1976
about midnight April 1, certificate notes April 2
PA, RTE 13 and RTE 413; most of her Worthington family and some Sabols are buried there
retired from Bristol Twp. Public Schools. Maintained second job as tax accountant, 1957 until death. HIghlight of career: selected to present new school dedication to Eleanor Roosevelt, the school named for Franklin D. Rooseve
lt. We didn't know at the time that Teddy was our cousin (LUKENS).
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