FAYETTEVILLE — Amy Jean (Marinoni) Frank,

the youngest of the eight Marinoni children of Mary Margaret (O’Connor) and Paul Albert Marinoni, Sr., passed to her eternal reward on December 8, 2023.

Amy was born on July 6, 1957, and was raised on PAM Angus Ranch on Wedington Drive in Fayetteville, where she developed a love for horses and spent her early years barrel racing as a hobby. She went to school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School through the ninth grade. She graduated from Fayetteville High School and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she was a member of Delta Iota Chapter of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. During those years she also traveled the country teaching cheerleading camps for Dynamic Cheerleaders Association, making many friends across the country.

Amy was vibrant, outgoing, cheerful and was a true friend to many. She was a devoted wife and mother and could be remembered doting over her children. A good motto would have been, “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing”. If she was ever given a task to complete, anyone could be assured that it would far exceed expectations. She was an admired cook, to the point that at any gathering, everyone would want to know what Amy brought, because it was sure to be a treat! She even contributed to many cookbooks as fundraisers.

Amy was incredibly creative. With three darling children, she soon went past what was available in stores and started designing and making the clothes herself. When she would be out with the kids, everyone would stop and ask where she got those darling clothes. So, soon she started her own pattern company called Amy Jean Patterns. The problem with that was, that the clothes were so trendy and cute that the big pattern companies would have her patterns copied and mass-produced before she could even start to make a profit. Although that project was shortlived, it still far exceeded what anyone else could even imagine at the time. Probably the most memorable outfit that she created was a Halloween costume for a two- three-yearold, that was passed down in the family. It was a skunk costume, made of black and white faux fur. But of course, that wasn’t all. The tail was stuffed and was held erect by a cord to the mid upper back, so that as the child bounced merrily down the street, the skunk tail bounced back and forth behind. All the neighbors laughed heartily as the oblivious child bounced along in pursuit of more candy.

Then there were her gardens. Jaw-dropping would be a good description. Everywhere she put down roots the ground would call out to her for a total transformation. She loved flowers and she loved beauty, so together with her keen eye and creativity, she would create beautiful environments for her family and for her friends, and anyone else lucky enough to come and experience. She was never in any garden clubs and preferred to create from her own blank slate and imagination.

After dating for ten years, in 2005, she married the love of her life, Richard William Frank. They enjoyed traveling to beautiful places and visiting the kids. Rich stayed by Amy’s side through her final tough years as her illness progressed. The family called him an angel and heroic. His was the highest example of true love and devotion!

Amy is survived by her husband Richard William Frank, her three children: Phillip Nolan Woolfolk, his children Ledger Issac and Lorelei Sutten Thorn; Natalie Jenise (Woolfolk) Burgener and her husband Casey Burgener and their children, Brock Jackson; Avery Jean and Duke Wayne Burgener; and Clay Allan Woolfolk and his children, Elijah Atlee and Gia Mae Woolfolk. She is also survived by her siblings and their families: Paul A. Marinoni, Jr. (Suellen); John Patrick Marinoni (Betty); Marla Ann Blake (Steve); & Paula Marie Marinoni (Matt Lawrence) all of Fayetteville, and Mary Sue Shaw (Glenn) of Stewartstown, Pa.; and Rosa Linda Robinson of Grant, Fla.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Mary Margaret (O’Connor) and Paul Albert Marinoni, Sr. (Cattle Ranchers); her grandparents: Antonio Marinoni (founder of the Romance Languages Department at the University of Arkansas) & Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni (Writer and Poet Laureate of Arkansas) and her grandparents on her mother’s side: Marie Elizabeth (Colbert) and Francis Patrick O’Connor of Tulsa, Okla. She is also preceded in death by her brother, James Anthony Marinoni.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 on Wednesday the 13th of December at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1722 North Starr Drive in Fayetteville, with Father Manik Kotha officiating, assisted by Deacon Mike Henry. A burial service will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.