Gastineau Channel Memories

Howard, Francelia

Frankie Howard

Francelia Howard, known to everyone as ?Frankie? was born in Sumner, Washington. She was employed by the Westcoast Lumberman?s Association as a bookkeeper and secretary. While employed there, she was approached by her boss to accept a similar position for the Ketchikan Spruce Mill in Ketchikan. She accepted the position and began employment in 1940. While there, she met Cort Howard, the city engineer, who convinced her to stay in Ketchikan. They were married in 1941, and a son Lawrence (Larry) was born in 1946.

In Juneau, Frank Metcalf needed someone to work for the Department of Public Works and hired Cort as Resident District Engineer. The family then moved to Juneau in 1956. When the Department of Public Works was divided into different divisions, Cort became the director of Waters and Harbors, a position he held until his death in 1966.

Frankie worked for the B.M. Behrends Bank and later for the state Department of Revenue, retiring in 1976. She is a very active volunteer for several organizations in Juneau and has been recognized for her many years of work with the Convention and Visitors Bureau.