Frances L. Armstrong, 93, of Fredericksburg passed away Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, at Mary Washington Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, W. Sidney Armstrong, who passed away in 2005.

She was locally educated at Fredericksburg High School and Fredericksburg State Teachers College. She went on to further her education at the University of Virginia and George Washington University. She was a former principal of Maury School and a teacher for 45 years.

"Many of my students have made me very proud. They have become teachers, principals, dentists, lawyers, college professors, church bishops, city council members, and even a Fredericksburg city manager," she once said.

She was a former member of the Fredericksburg Education Association, Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association. She was a past president and vice president of the Fredericksburg Woman's Club, and a member of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Friends of the Orchestra at Mary Washington College, James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, Mary Washington College National Alum Association, Fredericksburg Firemen's Auxiliary, Business and Professional Woman's Club, and the Presidents Book Club at Mary Washington College.

As a member of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, she was involved in the Woman's Society, Weslyen Circle, Usher Chairperson, youth counselor, Sunday school teacher, Council of Ministries, trustee, circle leader, Official Board and communion steward.

She was honored with the Mary Washington College Service Award, (DAR) Outstanding American History award, (VFW) Woman of the Year, the Civil War Round Table award, a life membership pin for the Woman's Society at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, quarter of the year award for 1999 at Mary Washington College, James Monroe High School monogram and the Monroe Echo dedication in 1953 and 1981 at James Monroe High School.

In 2006, she was given the Woman of Distinction Lifetime Achievement award by the Girl Scouts Commonwealth Council of Virginia. In her honor, a concert by Richard Miller was performed at the Mary Washington College Homecoming in 1999, and she has been featured in the Mary Washington publication MWC Today.

At Walker-Grant Middle School, her name is honored in the Armstrong Field. During World War II, she rolled bandages, and in the summers was in charge of a playground. She acted as a hostess to the USO and chaperoned after game parties at the Methodist church for several years.

She was a sponsor of the James Monroe High School cheerleaders and a head sponsor of their junior class for many years. She crowned the prince and king at James Monroe High School and always considered it an honor.

She would play Bridge with the Woman's Club twice a month and also enjoyed embroidery and reading.

She is survived by her brothers, W.F. Liebenow and his wife, Lucy, and Franklin E. Liebenow; two nephews; and one niece.

A funeral will be held at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered at mullinsthompsonfuneral homes.com