Patricia (Cullinan) Franz ‘75
Patricia Marie Franz (nee Cullinan), aged 67, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on April 12, 2025 after a long illness. Born on December 14, 1957, Patty—known as Gigi to her extended family—was recognized for her skills in adult education and public speaking, and for her lovely artwork in jewelry and stained glass.
Born fourth in a family of five children, Patty grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where she graduated from St. Francis DeSales High School in 1975. She attended Kent State University and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1980 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.
Upon graduation, Patty went to work in the hospitality industry. She worked for Holiday Inn hotels in Columbus until a promotion took her to Memphis, Tennessee in the mid-1980s. Later she was recruited by the Hilton Hotels as a corporate trainer. There she led projects to develop educational materials and taught classes and seminars to train hotel owners and managers in the use of Hilton’s property management computer systems. She trained employees from more than 1,200 hotels worldwide in the use of several dozen management software programs. Patty was renowned for her teaching skills and was the recipient of multiple public speaking awards. She was a member of Toastmasters International.
Patty met her lifelong partner Christopher Franz in Ohio in 1984. They married in 1995 and lived in Germantown and Memphis. Chris passed away after a long illness in July of 2024.
Patty’s life was characterized by her generosity with her time and her artwork. Anyone who knew her was likely a recipient of the many gifts she bestowed on her associates, friends, and loved ones. She was particularly happy when she was able to give things she had made herself. Today countless people wear Patty’s handmade jewelry and enjoy her stained glass creations in their windows. Despite her busy career and the many hours she spent raising her beloved dachshunds, Patty also found the time to be an avid Ohio State Buckeyes and Cincinnati Reds fan.
Patty was predeceased by her husband Chris Franz and by her parents Thomas and Joan Cullinan. She is survived by brothers Thomas (Marti) Cullinan, Timothy (Valerie) Cullinan, sisters Margaret (Jim) Van Buskirk, and Catherine (Thomas) Brehm; in-laws Richard and Lee Franz, Mariann Kirch, Richard (Sherry) Franz, and 17 nieces and nephews.