WILMINGTON — It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Francine DeCoursey at Hospice on the evening of Feb. 18. A heartfelt Celebration of her Life and Legacy was held on Sunday, Feb. 16, at Jengo’s Playhouse in Wilmington, North Carolina, with many friends and loved ones in attendance.
In October, Francine was diagnosed with cancer, a diagnosis that changed the course of her life and made it difficult to return to any sense of normalcy. After a prolonged battle, she entered Hospice care, where she was surrounded by the loving support of both her family and friends, as well as her extended North Carolina Film family and many close ties within the Wilmington community.
Francine is survived by her big brother Richard Smith and his partner Michelle Ferraro of Atlanta, Georgia, Her dear sister, Deborah Williams, and her husband Scott Williams of Laguna Beach, California. Their daughters Alana and Mikelle Williams, their children Jason Lee, and Michael Williams, and her wonderful family of first cousins, Teddy, Linda, and Lynn, in South Carolina, along with the Holladay family and cousins in Wilmington, Jim, Libby, Susi Hamilton, Kris Hines, and Randy Holladay.
Over the past three decades, filmmaker and activist Francine DeCoursey’s ON LOCATION Production Services has supplied locations, cast, crew, and support services for more than 100 feature film, television, and video productions. Based on Screen Gems Studios lot for over a decade, with Telemedia Group owners Mike and Margaret DeVries, her award-winning documentaries include Remembering 1898: A Community Effort toward Racial Reconciliation, The Wilmington Ten: Justice Denied, Begin to Live on Domestic Violence, Women Leaders in NC Community Colleges, a Governor’s Award winner, Women in the Arts, and Vote Yes for NC Film Incentives, which assisted in the NC Legislature’s passage of film incentives.
A consistent force in promoting the NC film and TV industry and the Independent Film movement, she initiated and helped launch ‘NC VISIONS,’ a PBS-TV showcase of NC Independent films that ran for 20 years.
Francine is also well known for her many years of service to the NC Institute of Political Leadership always improving the practice of democracy. Honored as a ‘Woman of Distinction’ by Ladies of the Cape Fear’s ‘Women of Hope’ for her activism and community leadership, she is also the recipient of the Outstanding North Carolinian of the Year award, the YWCA’s ‘Women of Achievement’ Award, UNC-Greensboro ‘Distinguished Alumni’ Award, and the NC Commission on the Status of Women ‘Women in Success.’ A long-time advocate for justice and equity, she was bestowed the Bahai’s ‘Cultural Diversity Leadership ’ Award, and the Governor’s Award for her positive impact on the lives of women and minorities in our state.
The Francine DeCoursey Scholarship Fund is being set up for students enrolled in the Fine Arts, Film, and Design Program at Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, North Carolina. A financial gift to this program can be made through the following link https://cfcc.edu/foundation/give. Please mention the Francine DeCoursey Scholarship Fund in the Comments field as her fund is not yet listed.
