Frances G. Medicus, 86, florist, civic leader

Frances G. Medicus, who co-owned and operated a Catonsville florist business and was a leader in the business community there, died of congestive heart failure and complications from Alzheimer's disease Feb. 4 at Somerford Place. She 86 and lived in Catonsville.

Born Frances G. Kesting in Baltimore, she was a 1935 graduate of Western High School.

In 1938, she married G. Howard Medicus Jr., whose family owned the Hilton Flower Shop. Mrs. Medicus worked with him for more than half a century, making corsage and bridal bouquets and doing the bookkeeping for the Frederick Road shop, which remains in family hands. She retired in 2000.

Mr. Medicus died in 1998.

Mrs. Medicus was a former president of the Women's Club of Catonsville and Catonsville Chamber of Commerce and was honored about a decade ago by being named grand marshal of Catonsville's Independence Day parade.

Services were held Saturday at the Christian Temple in Catonsville, where she had been a deacon.

Survivors include three sons, George H. Medicus of Stevensville, and Timothy C. Medicus and Thomas F. Medicus, both of Catonsville; a daughter, Suzann D. Medicus of Clarksville; a brother, Charles Kesting of Ellicott City; nine grandchildren; and a great-grandson.