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Frances Thurber (Talmadge)
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 Talmadge, Frances
Elizabeth Thurber
A 31 year resident of Omaha, Nebraska died peacefully, May 11, 2012, at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. She was 65 years old. Frances was born June 30, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan to Mary Anne (nee D'Agostino) and John Levington Thurber. Frances graduated from Marian High School in Birmingham, Michigan in 1964 and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan in 1967. She went on to receive her Masters of Arts Degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1972, and her doctoral degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL) in 1989. Frances was Professor Emerita at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) where she led the Art Education program for over 25 years and also served as Chair of the Department of Art and Art History. She was widely recognized for her contributions to Art Education at the local, state and national levels, and received many awards, including the prestigious Nebraska Governor's Art Award in 2006. She was instrumental in Nebraska's work in comprehensive art education as one of the leaders of the Prairie Visions project, a nationally-recognized research and professional development project that brought millions of dollars to Nebraska to improve art education, and that transformed art education throughout the state and beyond. She published many articles, with a particular focus on empowering women in art education, and co-authored the book, "Gender Matters in Art Education", a book that has become an important reference for teachers throughout the country. She also acted as the president for the Nebraska Art Teacher's Association and was the Western Region Director-elect for the Higher Education Division of National Art Education Association. Frances was also recognized as a talented artist, with a particular focus on watercolor. She also enjoyed preparing fine cuisine, entertaining and volunteering at the Nebraska Humane Society, spending time with dogs. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Frances Thurber Talmadge was deeply loved and will be sorely missed. She is survived by her dear husband of 16 years, Roy, and son, Ben (Tammy) Kreuz and grandson, Kyle Kreuz. Her sisters Mary Alice LoCicero and Jeanne (Robert) Murray. She is also survived by 5 step children and many step grandchildren along with nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by brother John (Barbara) Thurber.
Memorials can be made to: Pulmonary Hypertension Association – 801 Roeder Road, Suite 1000 – Silver Spring, MD 20910 - https://www.phassociation.org/donate
or Nebraska Humane Society - 8929 Fort Street - Omaha, NE 68134 - http://www.nehumanesociety.org/
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