Frances “Frankie” Louise Grace Ditto
Frances “Frankie” Louise Grace Ditto, 101, passed away surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of Robert “Bob” Jennings Ditto.
Frankie was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her family moved to West Virginia, where her father was employed with the railroad system. As a young girl in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, her family would travel to the Grace family farm in Ohio Pyle and Gobblers Knob, Pa. Even though Frankie was an only child, both of her parents came from large families. So, when they went to the farm there were dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Frankie’s father then took another railroad job, moving the family to Louisville, Ky. This was during Frankie’s adolescent years to adulthood. Her love of music and singing continued to grow. She sang solos on radio station WHAS and entertained with the USO at Fort Knox. She was a member of the Louisville Opera, singing in its productions as well as the Amphitheaters summer operas.
Frankie was a member of Chi Omega Sorority, Sigma Alpha Lota, and the National Music Sorority at the University of Louisville where she received a degree in Public School Music and a Bachelor of Music. She met Bob Ditto while attending the University of Louisville. They married on Feb. 7, 1948, and were married for 65 years before Bob passed away.
Bob and Frankie moved to Chattanooga in 1955. She continued to sing solos for First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Frankie was an active member of the Chattanooga Opera Guild, serving on the board of directors several times. They later joined First Presbyterian Church on McCallie Avenue where she sang in the choir under the leadership of Glen Drapier.
Frankie loved to travel, taking many trips to Europe, Isreal, and Egypt. She and many others from First Presbyterian went on mission trips to South America and Central America. Both Frankie and Bob were avid sailboat sailors. They along with three other couples that were very close friends and active sailboat sailors, rented their own sailboats to the BVI’s and to Tahiti several times.
Some of Frankie’s happiest memories include the birth of her two children, Cathy and Carl, and the birth of her granddaughter, Becky. She loved and took pride in entertaining and cooking. She was an excellent cook and loved to share her recipes. She had a flower garden and won several blue ribbons on her flower designs. Frankie loved to sew as a young girl and was a very talented seamstress.
She celebrated her 100th birthday in January 25, 2024, and had two birthday celebrations, the 1st with her family and wonderful longtime friends. The 2nd party was with family and the residents at Dominion. This past January Frankie celebrated her 101st birthday at Dominion with her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Ditto.
Survivors include her daughter Catherine (Stan) Groff and her son Carl Ditto; and granddaughter, Rebecca (Becky Groff.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 12, at First Presbyterian Church 554 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, with Reverend Ron Brown officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time at First Presbyterian.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church Missions or Bethel Bible Village.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com