Remembering Franki Clement: A Life of Dedication, Joy, and Community

Charlotte Jewish News, February 2025

By Foundation of Shalom Park Staff

Our Shalom Park family mourns the loss of Franki Anjelica Clement, a beloved colleague and friend who passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025. Franki was a shining light in our community, known for her unwavering dedication, kindness, and zest for life.

Born in Miami and raised in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Franki’s vibrant personality and commitment to others were evident from a young age. She excelled in academics and extracurricular activities at NSU University School, always eager to contribute to a positive environment. Her journey led her to Suffolk University in Boston, where she majored in communications and nurtured her passion for connecting people and creating memorable experiences. It was in Boston that Franki met her soulmate, Robert Clement, at Camp Pinewood in 2009. Their shared love for community and deep affection for each other blossomed into a beautiful partnership. Together, they built a life filled with love and laughter, welcoming their two children, Calliope and Oscar.

Franki’s career path reflected her passion for bringing people together. She honed her skills in experiential marketing and event management at UCG in Boston and later at Publix Event Planning and Corporate in Charlotte. Her arrival at the Foundation of Shalom Park marked a special chapter in her professional life. Here, she seamlessly combined her talents with her deep commitment to the Jewish community.

As our event and communications manager, Franki was instrumental in organizing and executing over 1,200 events each year. From small gatherings to large celebrations, she ensured every detail was perfect. She even brought us into the digital age with sophisticated event management software, a testament to her dedication to efficiency and excellence. As Terri Beattie, our executive director, shared, “Sometimes I did not know if I was running the organization or if she was. It now takes three of us to fill her shoes!”

But Franki’s impact extended far beyond spreadsheets and logistics. She infused our workplace with her warmth and positivity. Her love for Taylor Swift, her impeccable fashion sense, and the ever-present jar of Hershey’s Kisses brightened our days. More importantly, she embodied the values of perseverance, collaboration, and integrity, inspiring us all to be better colleagues and human beings.

Franki found immense joy in being a mother. She cherished every moment with Calliope and Oscar, sharing her love for baking, Bravo TV marathons, and, of course, Taylor Swift sing-alongs. Her dedication to her children was evident in everything she did, and she instilled in them the importance of resilience, kindness, and pursuing their passions.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of Franki’s role at Shalom Park was coordinating the Friday Shabbatot for Charlotte Jewish Preschool and Charlotte Jewish Day School. She not only organized these events but also attended them with Calliope and Oscar, creating beautiful memories and strengthening her connection to the community.

To honor Franki’s remarkable life and her contributions to Shalom Park, we have established the Franki Anjelica Clement Foundation of Shalom Park Endowment Fund with a $25,000 seed donation. This fund will ensure that her legacy of dedication and community-building continues to thrive.

Though Franki is gone from us in sight, her spirit will forever remain a part of Shalom Park. We will carry her memory in our hearts as we strive for excellence in our work, just as she did every day. May her memory be a blessing to us all.

To donate to the Franki Anjelica Clement Foundation of Shalom Park Endowment Fund, click here.