Obituary of Isabel U. Franklin

Isabel U. Franklin November 14, 1915 - December 15, 2008 Putnam - Isabel U. Franklin, died suddenly Monday, December 15, 2008 in Putnam. She was the daughter of Polish immigrants Stanislaw and Jadwiga (Zygmunt) Ukleja. Isabel attended Putnam Schools, graduating from Putnam High School and Willimantic Normal School. Her first teaching job was in a two room schoolhouse where she was responsible for grades 1-8, as well as for keeping the fire going and the building tidy. She then moved to the former Smith Street School, teaching grades 7 and 8, served as principal during WWII, and taught adult First Aid classes. She completed a long teaching career at the Israel Putnam School in grade 4 and 3. Mrs. Franklin remembered fondly each of her students, and enjoyed receiving notes, cards and personal greetings throughout the years. She would surprise them by recounting pleasant anecdotes of their school years, siblings and parents. Isabel was married to Stuart W Franklin on July 30 or 31 (it was an ongoing debate between them), 1941. It is interesting to note that Mrs. Franklin was the first married female teacher to be allowed to keep her teaching position in Putnam. Mrs. Franklin retired after 35 years and began her second career as assistant librarian at the Putnam Public Library where she happily worked for the next 30 years, gently and good naturedly reminding patrons of overdue books. Her lifelong passion for the education of the town's young people led her to seek public office on the school board where she served for many years as Secretary and Chairman. Mrs. Franklin spoke eloquently at many Putnam Middle and High School graduations. She particularly enjoyed awarding the Pulaski Achievement Awards to Middle School recipients. Isabel was the devoted and loving mother of Stanley D (Janice) Franklin of Foster RI and Elisabeth (Robert) Thompson of Putnam. She was a doting grandmother to five grandchildren, Nathan (Jeannette) Thompson of St. Louis, Seth Thompson of Boston, Jessica (Richard) Vergoni of Putnam, Joshua and Lindsey Franklin of Foster. She leaves also four great grandchildren, Hannah and Caleb Thompson, Isabel and Joey Vergoni and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Stuart in June 2007 and her sister Jennie U. Gerardi. A Memorial Service will be Saturday, December 27th at 11:00 am at the Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam with a calling hour from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Burial following in Grove Street Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to the Memorial Fund of the Putnam Public Library, 225 Kennedy Drive, Putnam or to the Memorial Fund of the Congregational Church of Putnam, PO Box 463, Putnam, CT 06260. To share a memory with her family, "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com