Frances Schwaninger Morse
August 6, 1945 — May 11, 2025
Salt Lake City
Frances Schwaninger Morse died peacefully on May 11, 2025, at her home in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Fran was born on August 6, 1945, in Easton, Md. to Francis A. Schwaninger and Mildred McQuay Schwaninger. She is survived by her brother, Daniel E. Schwaninger (Betty). Her brother, Carroll F. Schwaninger, and sister, Anna K. Ebling preceded her in death. She enjoyed 39 loving years with her husband Louis F. Morse, who passed away in 2007.
She will be deeply missed by her nieces and nephews: Jo Ebling (Dean), Richard Ebling (Wan), Kat Ebling, Adam Schwaninger (Julie), and Matt Schwaninger. She enjoyed being a grandmother figure to her great nieces and great nephews: Danial Ebling (Alyson); Ada Ebling (Ann); Rebecca Moore, Nathan Moore; Adrienne Schwaninger, Elsa Schwaninger, and Aislynn Schwaninger, as well as being a “bonus aunt” for many friends’ children.
Many friends, neighbors, and colleagues also feel a deep loss with her passing.
Fran graduated from Easton High School in Easton, Md. in 1963. She attended Bridgewater College in Bridgewater Va. graduating in 1967. After working for a year as a social worker with the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program in Denton, Md., she continued her studies in social psychology at the University of Utah, receiving her master’s degree in 1971. Fran completed her Ph.D. in clinical/counseling psychology in 1979.
After Fran completed her doctorate, the Morses went to Saipan to work for the U.S. Public Health Services in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands. There, Fran served as the mental health director of Saipan while her husband worked as a psychologist for the Trust Territory in Micronesia.
Upon returning to the U.S in 1982, both Fran and Lou Morse worked for Bear River Mental Health in Logan, Utah. She moved to Salt Lake City, where she worked as an administrator for several mental health related organizations, served as the executive director of the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, and worked with the Utah Department of Health Planning towards developing housing and other support services for persons with persistent and severe mental illness.
She never stopped learning and always enjoyed understanding how and why people did things. She applied her talents and knowledge of the Enneagram in her consulting work to help others become better managers.
Fran and Lou eventually moved to Yachats, Ore. where they participated in community government and continued to enjoy reading, writing, and traveling. Her joy was spending time with her husband.
After Lou passed, Fran returned to Salt Lake City. She continued her love affair with her extended family, traveling, and reconnecting with friends.
In 2018, Fran married Max Glenn of Yachats. They were active in the Yachats community and enjoyed coastal life with friends. Fran often traveled to visit friends and family in Utah and Maryland.
Fran returned to Salt Lake City in November 2024, remaining there until passing on May 11, 2025.
Fran’s legacy is one of compassion, dedication, and community spirit. There will be a private interment at White Marsh Cemetery in Trappe, Md. on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations may be made to any local mental health organizations.
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