Catherine “Neil” Nicholls Franz, 51, a resident of 975 Gum Point Road, Bath, died Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at her home.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at her home by the water she so loved, officiated by Ed Hamrick. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Mrs. Franz was born in Beaufort County, July 23, 1960, the daughter of the late Henry “Puz” Lee Nicholls Jr. and Charlotte Kugler “Kay“ Tankard Nicholls who survives. Neil graduated from Washington High School and later attended the University of North Carolina. She received her degree in Computer Science from Beaufort County Community College. Neil was married to Thomas “Tommy” Henry Franz on Nov. 23, 1993. She worked with the Beaufort County Board of Elections. Neil was known for being a dedicated ECU Pirate fan. She had a great love for animals, especially her dogs and cats, the river was close to her heart and often she worked with her husband Tommy. Spending time with her family gave her the most happiness in life.

Along with her mother and husband she is survived by a son, Thomas Franz of Wilmington; two daughters, Brett F. O’Brien and husband Robert of Greenville and Erin Franz of Washington; a brother, Lee Nicholls III of Washington; three sisters, Charlotte N. Mason and husband George of Washington, Caroline N. Cutler and husband Jim of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Sally K. Nicholls of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; six grandchildren and her loving family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Hal Martin Nicholls.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Humane Society of Beaufort County, c/o P.O. Box 8, Washington, NC 27889 or Community Home Care and Hospice, c/o 814 Washington Plaza, Washington, NC 27889.

You may share a memory with the family by visiting www.pamlicofuneralservices.com.

Pamlico Funeral and Cremation Service of Washington is serving the Franz family.