Frances Switalla

Frances "Frankie" Carolyn Switalla passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 22, 2025, in Chandler, Arizona, at the age of 92.

Frankie was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where she attended Brown High School and played on the girls' basketball team. Growing up she cherished time with friends and family. Her adventurous spirit led her to become a flight attendant, a career that took her to Memphis and New Orleans. It was in New Orleans that she met her husband, Eric Switalla, in a serendipitous encounter on a street corner. Eric, a racehorse trainer and former Navy pilot, shared many common interests with Frankie. They married in 1959 and later settled in Arizona in 1969, where they raised two daughters and a granddaughter.

Frankie is preceded in death by her beloved husband Eric Switalla; her parents Frances and William Hendrix; sister Martha Irwin; and dear cousins Connie Russell Midura and Lee Austin.

She is survived by her daughters Robin Switalla, Rhonda Clark; her son-in-law Terry Clark; granddaughters Erica Switalla (husband Benjamin Scheel) and Riley Clark; great-granddaughters Charlotte Switalla Scheel, Olivia Switalla Scheel and her nieces Sharon O'Flaherty and Zoey Lucinda.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a service at 12:00 p.m., at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85018. Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Paradise Memorial Gardens, 9300 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85260. All are welcome to attend.

Frankie’s vibrant life and loving presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her. May her memory bring comfort to those she leaves behind.