Fran Armstrong – Leaving a Legacy
The Reid Park Zoological Society is proud to honor very special contributors who are part of its Legacy Circle. The Legacy Circle is a special group of donors who remembered Reid Park Zoo in their estate, life income plans, or made a gift to Reid Park Zoological Society’s Endowment Fund.
Through planned gifts, the Legacy Circle offers donors the opportunity to fund future programs and exhibits. These gifts help enrich the Reid Park Zoo for many generations to come and they insure the financial sustainability of the Zoo.
One of our Legacy Circle members was Fran Armstrong, well-loved by Zoo visitors, staff members, and docents. Fran volunteered for Reid Park Zoo for more than 40 years, including more than 39 years as a docent. She saw many changes to the Zoo and the Zoological Society from its humble beginnings, and was one of Reid Park Zoo’s biggest and most dedicated fans.
Fran was as passionate as any person could be about teaching children and families about wildlife conservation and caring for the animals here at Reid Park Zoo. Fran passed away on December 6, 2016 after returning from a beautiful cruise with her beloved husband, Ray.
“Fran was not large in stature, and similar to the small dart frogs, her legacy has had a huge impact on all of us,” said Zoo Director Jason Jacobs. “Through her love of conservation, education, and wildlife, she was an inspiration and a role model that taught so many of us so much.”
As part of Reid Park Zoo’s Legacy Circle, Fran and her husband Ray wanted to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. As a result of their generosity, a dart frog exhibit will be available to the thousands of visitors we have each year – the first of its kind in the Zoo’s Lee H. Brown Family Conservation Learning Center.
The Legacy Circle recognizes those who generously choose to make a planned gift to the Reid Park Zoological Society. Making a planned gift can be as easy as naming RPZS as a beneficiary to your life insurance or 401(K) plan.
For more information, please call Diana at (520) 837-8217 or email diana@reidparkzoo.org.