Frances "Chickie" Mary Gettelfinger

Frances Anthony Mary Gettelfinger “Chickie” age 89 peacefully departed this life and reunited with her beloved husband Andy (1925-2010) on Wednesday, January 17. Sharing in her heavenly reunion are her parents, William and Nelle Mary; sisters Louise Crenshaw, Eleanor Southern, Ann Baumann, and Helen Ericson; brothers Bill and Frank Mary, and extended family members and friends. Surviving to cherish her memory and legacy of love are her children, Linda (Paul) Lawson, Diane (Gary) Scheafer, Mary Nelle (Glen) Anderson, Ann (Todd) Hepp, Sandy (Paul) Mercandetti, Andrew “Buddy” Gettelfinger, David (Sandi) Gettelfinger, and Barbie (Mark) Olsen; grandchildren Joann (Bryan) Bingham, Chris (Andrea) Crawford, Eric (Susan) Crawford, Ashley (Chris) Bradfield, Colt Sowders, Darren Anderson, Emily Gettelfinger, Alex Gettelfinger, Andrew Gettelfinger III, Patrick Gettelfinger, Rebecca and Brittany Olsen; great-grandchildren James, Abigail, Sarah, and Jacob Crawford, Louise Bingham and Mika Olsen; surviving brother-in-law Ernest Tucker and cousin Betty Hammill, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Our gratitude to all of Mom’s special-angel caregivers (Amy, Asia, Becky, Cheryl, Diane, Kara, Kisha, Lona, Tonya, Traci, and Vickie). A woman of deeply convicted faith, Chickie was a familiar member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church. She graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School (1946), attended Draughon’s Business College (1946-47), and married Andrew J. Gettelfinger (1949). She donated her time and talents to Holy Ghost Church, Ladies of Charity, and Agape Inc. She nurtured bodies and souls as a Eucharistic Lay Minister, delivered hot meals to the elderly, and crafted stained glass windows. Chickie was a striking beauty who loved fun, romance, and adventure. Her rural childhood on Nubbin Ridge Rd. was a well of memories, but her larger-than-life husband and eight energetic children were her life’s passion. She was a tireless Fountain-City-station-wagon mom who made time to pour out her heart on everyone she met. She loved mountains, thunderstorms, tennis, travels, and Sunday family dinners, but mostly she loved others. Her dazzling blue eyes and radiant smile could light up a room. Her sense of humor, courage, and congeniality propelled her through a long and full life. The tragic death of her brother Bill (WWII bomber pilot shot down over France) and her own near-death experience (pneumonia) gave her a vivid understanding of heaven and a longing for reunion with the faithful departed. She was unafraid to die because she was contented with this life and certain of the life to come. One of the final holdouts from America’s greatest generation, Chickie Gettelfinger is irreplaceable. Goodnight, sweet dreams, God bless you, we love you. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Sunday January 21, 2018, with a Rosary Prayer Service immediately following at ROSE MORTUARY BROADWAY CHAPEL. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 10:00 am Monday January 22, 2018, at HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to Knoxville Catholic High School, St. Joseph Elementary School, or Our Ladies of Charity. Online obituary may be viewed at and condolences extended at www.rosemortuary.com.

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Frances "Chickie" Mary Gettelfinger

January 17, 2018