Mary L. Franz, a retired clinical social worker who had worked at the Huntington's Disease Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital and lived for many years in Federal Hill, died Wednesday of lymphoma at Roland Park Place. She was 82.
Mary Louise Wise, the daughter of a Sears Roebuck & Co. executive, was born in Oak Park, Ill. Her family moved to Baltimore, and she graduated in 1944 from Girls' Latin School.
She earned her bachelor's degree from Goucher College in 1948 and a master's in social work from the University of Maryland in 1972.
FOR THE RECORD - An obituary published in yesterday's editions for Mary L. Franz misstated the name of a son and the time of a memorial gathering. She is survived by a son, Gordon T. Franz of Mount Washington. A memorial gathering will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. today at Roland Park Place, 830 W. 40th St.
The Baltimore Sun regrets the errors.
In 1975, she earned a master's degree in liberal arts from the Johns Hopkins University.
While working for Children's Aid and Family Services in Towson, Mrs. Franz helped establish a Head Start program.
From 1980 until retiring in 2000, Mrs. Franz was a clinical social worker in the Huntington's Disease Center at Hopkins.
She also served as a mentor to other social workers around the country who were working with Huntington's patients and helped establish networks and support systems.
In recognition of her work, Mrs. Franz was awarded the Marjorie Guthrie Award for Outstanding Service to the Huntington Disease Community in 1992.
Mrs. Franz settled in Federal Hill in 1975 and was active in preservationist circles there and in Fells Point.
A book lover, Mrs. Franz filled her Hamburg Street rowhouse with books that she enjoyed giving to children.
She was also a movie buff, and after moving to Roland Park Place in 2004 established the Sunday Night Movie Club where contemporary films are screened and discussed.
"She was a big fan of the Charles Theatre, and she was always there for the Sunday morning films and discussions. That was her church," said daughter-in-law Vicki Franz of Cockeysville.
A contralto, Mrs. Franz was a member of the Handel Choir and helped establish the Baltimore Choral Arts Society.
A celebration of her life will be held at 6 p.m. today at Roland Park Place, 830 W. 40th St.
Also surviving are two sons, Douglas K. Franz of Cockeysville and Daniel D. Franz of Mount Washington; and four grandchildren. Her sister, Elizabeth T. Wise of Baltimore, died Saturday.
Her marriage to William C. Franz ended in divorce.
